Uganda Votes Under Nationwide Internet Blackout as Museveni Seeks Seventh Term

Overview

• Museveni reported biometric verification glitches at his polling station as openings were delayed and security forces patrolled key cities.
• The communications regulator ordered a countrywide cutoff of public internet access before voting, citing disinformation and security, a shutdown NetBlocks confirmed in real time.
• With connectivity cut, Ugandans turned to the offline Bitchat messaging app, which topped local app stores with more than 28,000 downloads, according to Apptopia.
• The regulator said it has the capacity to block Bitchat nationwide, while opposition leader Bobi Wine encouraged supporters to use the tool to stay in contact.
• UN experts and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights condemned the blackout, and the African Union deployed observers with an initial assessment expected Saturday.