Impact of Uganda's Internet Shutdown: Loss of Income and Connectivity

Fri Jan 23 2026 12:09:15 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The recent internet shutdown in Uganda during the general elections has led to significant financial and social consequences for citizens, from halted businesses to disrupted communication.

Following Uganda's internet blackout during critical election periods, many local businesses suffered financially, including mobile money agents and ride-hailing services. While the government reported the shutdown was for security reasons, citizens faced serious repercussions including stalled businesses, disrupted learning for students, and a general sense of isolation. The incident underscores the importance of digital access in modern society, highlighting both economic and personal impacts of such restrictions.

Mobile money agent Mirembe Tracy laments that her business in Uganda's bustling capital Kampala was paralyzed when the government shut the internet during last week's fiercely contested general election.

All withdrawals were disconnected, she tells the BBC, adding that she gets nearly all of her income from withdrawal commissions. Without it, her income dropped to zero.

In one week I can earn up to 450,000 [Ugandan] shillings (£96; $130). That money is what I use to pay rent. Losing it was a total loss, she says.

For two days either side of the election, there was nothing she could do but stay at home - she could only sell prepaid airtime credit, which she says does not provide a commission.

Uganda's communications authority ordered the nationwide shutdown to ensure peace, protect national stability and prevent the misuse of communication platforms during a sensitive national exercise. However, the opposition claimed it was aimed at covering up voter fraud.

The blackout halted many aspects of modern life, particularly for online businesses reliant on mobile money transactions, forcing them to revert to cash-based systems. Ride-hailing services also suffered, and many operators lost significant income during the suspension.

Namukwaya Olivia, a traditional clothing seller who heavily relies on social media for sales, also found herself unable to function, stating, We could not send pictures, we could not receive orders, and we could not make deliveries.

Students were similarly affected; Aaron Benitez, a final-year pupil, reported disrupted online learning and a lack of communication with family during the crisis.

The internet was partially restored following President Yoweri Museveni's victory announcement, although many citizens continued to experience slow and unreliable access.

This shutdown serves as a stark reminder of the vital role digital connectivity plays in everyday life and economic stability in Uganda.