Uganda cuts internet nationwide days before presidential vote

Authorities in Uganda blocked internet service nationwide on Tuesday, days before a national election in which President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled the country since 1986, is seeking a seventh term. The Uganda Communications Commission said the national security committee decided to cut service to prevent the “weaponization of the internet” and to curb misinformation, Nyombi Thembo, the head of the commission, said in an interview.

"People wanted to start using the internet to promote hate speech," he said, adding that he did not know when service would be restored. Mr. Museveni is expected to secure re-election comfortably against his main challenger, Bobi Wine, who built a following among urban youth as a pop singer before entering politics.

Mr. Wine accused the electoral commission of vote rigging in an interview at his home near Kampala and said he was campaigning as part of a "protest vote," despite the abduction of some supporters and state violence. At Mr. Museveni’s closing rally, tens of thousands gathered and the ruling party handed out shirts, hats and flags; Mr.

Wine’s final rally was ringed by heavy security, and at least one person was chased down and beaten for waving a national flag, which authorities have banned. Critics say the internet cut was intended to thwart any attempt to organise protests in the unlikely event of Mr. Museveni’s defeat after Thursday’s vote.

Key Topics

World, Yoweri Museveni, Bobi Wine, Uganda, Uganda Communications Commission, Internet Blackout