Uganda has restored full access to social media platforms days after they were restricted ahead of the recent General Election.
In a statement issued on Monday, January 26, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerubaga, announced the lifting of the restrictions.
He thanked Ugandans for their patience and cooperation throughout the election period, praising the public for their support during the electoral process.
Gen Muhoozi Announces End to Social Media Restrictions in Uganda. Photo: Courtesy.
The Ugandan government had restricted access to several social media platforms, including X, WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, citing security concerns during the election period.
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) also implemented a temporary internet shutdown at the height of the polls.
Internet access was restored on Sunday, January 18, following President Yoweri Museveni’s election victory.
In a statement, the UCC said the shutdown was a deliberate and temporary measure taken during a sensitive electoral period to prevent the spread of harmful content, misinformation, and interference, while ensuring that essential services remained operational.
The development comes against the backdrop of criticism from the United States, where Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Cory Booker have urged the US government to hold Ugandan officials accountable for alleged violations of the civic rights of opposition supporters.
The two senators described Uganda’s January 15, 2026, election as deeply flawed, arguing that it fell short of the standards of a free and fair electoral process.
They also condemned the government’s decision to shut down the internet, terming it a clear violation of citizens’ rights to freedom of expression.
