Ugandan authorities have denied reports that they plan to shut down the internet during next week’s general election, dismissing the claims as “false and misleading” rumors intended to create fear.
The denials from officials, including the head of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), come after the main opposition candidate, Bobi Wine, accused the government of plotting a blackout to prevent his supporters from mobilizing and sharing election results.
These fears were heightened after satellite internet provider Starlink recently restricted its services in the country following a regulator’s order.
As a precaution, Wine’s opposition party has launched an offline vote-monitoring app that uses Bluetooth to share voting data.
This all unfolds as President Yoweri Museveni seeks to extend his 40-year rule in a rematch of the 2021 poll, which was marked by deadly protests and a four-day internet shutdown.
