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Uganda Cuts Internet Nationwide Ahead of Thursday's Elections

Rights groups warn the blackout will hinder independent scrutiny of the vote.

Overview

  • The communications authority ordered providers to disable public internet access, saying the move counters false information and calls to violence and applies until further notice.
  • NetBlocks reported a countrywide connectivity disruption on Tuesday, which AFP journalists also observed on the ground.
  • No formal government statement was issued, and an official told AFP that no one wanted to take responsibility for the decision.
  • The cutoff follows a broader pre-election clampdown, with security forces breaking up opposition events and detaining hundreds of supporters of challenger Bobi Wine, according to Reuters.
  • Authorities also told two local human-rights groups to cease operations and largely excluded international media from President Yoweri Museveni’s final rally, where attendees said they were bused in and given free food.