It is election time in Uganda again, which means two things are certain. First, 81 year old President Yoweri Museveni is looking for his seventh trophy for the mantelpiece. Second, the internet has conveniently vanished. The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) decided to pull the plug on Tuesday evening, just in time for the big vote. They claim this is to stop “misinformation” and keep everyone safe, though most people suspect it is mostly to keep everyone quiet.
If this feels like a repeat, that is because it is. During the 2021 election, the country went dark for a week. This time, the UCC spent weeks calling blackout reports “mere rumours” before doing exactly what the rumours said they would. It is a classic move. They want to protect national stability, which apparently requires millions of people to stop looking at memes and checking their bank balances.
The Matchup: The General vs. The Pop Star
The election itself is a high stakes rematch. In one corner, you have Museveni, who has been in power for forty years. He likes to talk about “protecting the gains” and keeping things steady. In the other corner, you have 43 year old Bobi Wine, a former pop star who wants a “protest vote” and some fresh air in the capital.
| Candidate | Age | Main Slogan | Vibe |
| Yoweri Museveni | 81 | Protecting the Gains | “I’m not leaving.” |
| Bobi Wine | 43 | Protest Vote | “Let’s try something new.” |
Offline and Out of Luck
While big hotels still have Wi-Fi for the lucky few, regular mobile data is dead. Bobi Wine told his fans to download a Bluetooth messaging app to bypass the ban, but the government says they can block that too. They are acting on a “strong recommendation” from the army and police, which is usually code for “we don’t want anyone filming the polling stations.”
The UCC hasn’t said when the internet will come back. It is a bit like a digital grounded period. Until the votes are counted and the “stability” is secured, Ugandans will have to go back to the dark ages of actually talking to each other in person.
It is amazing how a “national exercise” in democracy usually begins by making sure nobody can see what is actually happening.
Keep your batteries charged, even if your signal is zero.
Related topics: Africa
