Bitchat Tops Ugandan App Charts as Authorities Cut Internet Ahead of Election

Bitchat has become the most-downloaded app in Uganda as state officials confirmed internet access has been cut off and will remain inaccessible during the presidential election, which starts on Thursday. The internet shutdown took effect Tuesday at 6:00 pm local time, according to Uganda Communications Commission executive director Nyombi Thembo in a statement on X.

Bitchat, an internet-free encrypted messaging app powered by Bluetooth mesh networks, currently sits at the top of app charts on the Apple App Store and Google Play in Uganda, while other top downloads include Virtual Private Network apps. Officials said the shutdown is necessary to mitigate the spread of online misinformation, but critics argue cutting the internet suppresses election-related information and can potentially manipulate the outcome.

Thembo had said last week the internet would not be cut and asked, "Why would you use Bitchat when there is internet, internet will be there, use internet," and he also claimed his team has the technical capacity to turn off Bitchat. This is the third consecutive Ugandan election with an internet cut: authorities imposed broad blocks in 2016 and a four-day blackout began on election night in 2021.

Data shared by Calle on Jan.

Key Topics

Tech, Bitchat, Uganda, Uganda Communications Commission, Nyombi Thembo, Internet Shutdown