Uganda suspends internet access ahead of Thursday’s election
Uganda ordered a nationwide internet blackout on Tuesday, January 13, two days before a general election in which President Yoweri Museveni is seeking to extend his nearly 40-year rule. The directive was issued through a formal notice from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to internet providers, which said the shutdown was necessary to “mitigate the rapid spread of online misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and related risks, as well as preventing of incitement to violence that could affect public confidence and national security during the election period.” The letter was verified to AFP by government officials.
There was no public statement from the government confirming the shutdown, and officials told AFP that authorities did not want to “own” the decision. The ...
