Impact of Internet Shutdown on Uganda's Economy and Society

Thu Jan 22 2026 19:31:31 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The recent internet shutdown in Uganda during the elections has significantly disrupted businesses, communications, and social interactions, revealing the critical role of digital connectivity in the modern economy.

In Uganda's capital, Kampala, the government's decision to shut down the internet during the recent elections has led to widespread economic disruption. Mobile money agents like Mirembe Tracy reported a complete loss of income, translating to an inability to pay rent. Many businesses reliant on online transactions were forced to shut down temporarily or transition back to cash. Emotional impacts were felt across society, with students unable to study, gamers cut off from online play, and journalists struggling to report under blackout conditions. This situation reflects the integral role of the internet in daily life and raises concerns about governmental control over information access.

Mobile money agent Mirembe Tracy laments that her business in Uganda's bustling capital Kampala was paralysed when the government shut the internet during last week's fiercely contested general election.

All withdrawals were disconnected, she tells the BBC, adding that she gets nearly all of her income from withdrawal commissions.

Without it, her income dropped to zero.

In one week I can earn up to 450,000 [Ugandan] shillings (£96; $130). That money is what I use to pay rent. Losing it was a total loss, she says.

For two days either side of the election, there was nothing she could do but stay at home - she could only sell prepaid airtime credit, which does not give a commission.

Uganda's communications authority ordered the nationwide shutdown to ensure peace, protect national stability and prevent the misuse of communication platforms during a sensitive national exercise.

The opposition said it was a move to cover up voter fraud and stop its agents from sharing the results from polling stations.

Either way, it brought many aspects of modern life to a halt.

Online businesses that relied on mobile money transactions were most affected, with many coming to a standstill as they reverted to cash-based transactions.

Kampala is famous for its ubiquitous boda boda (motorcycle) taxis, with many operators relying on ride-hailing apps. The co-founder of SafeBoda told local media that the platform's entire server was down during the internet suspension, forcing many riders off the road.

Businesses like Namukwaya Olivia's, which depend heavily on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp, also came to a halt – We could not send pictures, we could not receive orders, and we could not make deliveries, she says.

For students, the blackout disrupted both communication and learning. Aaron Benitez, a final-year pupil, reported that the internet issues affected his ability to connect with his family during a time of uncertainty.

This shutdown serves as a reminder of how integral digital access is to daily life in modern Uganda. Following President Yoweri Museveni's reinstatement, the government partially restored internet services, yet many social media platforms remained slow or restricted.