Thousands of Ugandans were left struggling to earn a living, access information and stay connected after the government shut down the internet during last week’s fiercely contested general election, disrupting businesses, journalism, education and daily life across the country.
In Kampala, mobile money agent Mirembe Tracy said her business was completely paralysed when the shutdown took effect. She explained that nearly all her income comes from commissions on cash withdrawals, which became impossible once internet services were cut.
“All withdrawals were disconnected,” she said, noting that her earnings dropped to zero. “In one week I can earn up to 450,000 Ugandan shillings. That money is what I use to pay rent. Losing it was a total loss.”
For several days around the election period, Tracy said she stayed at home with no work to do, except selling prepaid airtime, which she said does not attract commission.
Uganda’s communications authority ordered the nationwide internet shutdown, saying it was necessary to ensure peace, protect national stability and prevent the misuse of communication platforms during a sensitive national exercise. Opposition figures, however, criticised the move, accusing the government of attempting to conceal voter fraud and restrict the sharing of election results from polling units.
The blackout brought many aspects of modern life to a halt, particularly businesses that depend on digital platforms and mobile money transactions. Online-based enterprises either shut down completely or were forced to revert to cash transactions.
Ride-hailing services were also affected. Kampala’s popular boda boda motorcycle taxi operators, many of whom rely on app-based platforms, were unable to work. The co-founder of SafeBoda told local media that the company’s servers were inaccessible during the shutdown, forcing many riders off the road and cutting off income for those who depend on the service.
Small business owners who rely on social media platforms were similarly hit. Namukwaya Olivia, who sells traditional cultural clothing, said she could not reach customers during the shutdown because she depends on Instagram, TikTok and WhatsApp to display her products.
“We could not send pictures, we could not receive orders, and we could not make deliveries,” she said, adding that the loss of business made it difficult to pay rent. According to her, some customers are still struggling to reconnect online even after services were restored.
Journalists covering the election were also severely affected. Reporter Ngabo Amon described his smartphone as largely useless during the blackout, saying he could no longer research stories, follow developments or send reports to his newsroom.
“You have a phone, but there is nothing to do with it,” he said, explaining that the shutdown created long, anxious periods of waiting. In some cases, journalists in rural areas had to physically transport video footage by road to newsrooms in urban centres, often arriving too late for the material to remain relevant.
“You are talking about people rioting and tension on the streets, but the audience is only hearing your voice,” Ngabo said, adding that the situation was frustrating for both journalists and viewers.
For many young people, the internet blackout meant isolation. Twenty-year-old gamer Ronnie Mwesigwa said he lost contact with friends and access to online entertainment.
“I couldn’t communicate with anyone, and even gaming was gone,” he said. To pass the time, he relied on content already saved on his phone.
Students were also affected, with online learning coming to a standstill. Final-year pupil Aaron Benitez said he could not contact his family during a period of uncertainty and was unable to participate in online lessons.
“Our master could not send notes on WhatsApp, and Zoom classes stopped,” he said, adding that internet access remains slow and unreliable even after the election.
The African Union Election Observation Mission noted that the shutdown limited access to information, restricted freedom of association and curtailed economic activities. It also warned that the move created suspicion and mistrust in the electoral process.
President Yoweri Museveni, 81, won the election by a landslide, extending his decades-long rule. His main challenger, Bobi Wine, has rejected the results, describing them as fraudulent and citing alleged ballot stuffing.
The government partially restored internet access after Museveni was declared the winner, though some platforms, particularly social media, remain slow or restricted. Many users have turned to virtual private networks (VPNs) to bypass limitations.
For many Ugandans, the shutdown served as a stark reminder of how deeply digital access is woven into everyday life, with its absence affecting livelihoods, education, information flow and personal connections.
This report was first published by BBC.
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