- Internet restored in Uganda after four days of restrictions during elections
- Access to social media and messaging apps is still restricted
- Proton VPN confirms usage has now reached “an all-time high”
Uganda’s internet shutdown ended after four days, but VPN services are still needed to access social media and messaging apps.
Connectivity was gradually restored on Sunday, although the latest data from internet watchdog NetBlocks shows authorities are still restricting access to several social media platforms.
David Peterson, CEO of Proton VPN said its usage in the country had reached “an all-time high”.
This follows an 8,000% increase in registrations from Uganda in just one hour on Tuesday, when restrictions were imposed for the first time. Despite the initial spike, all traffic came to a halt on Wednesday as the country was plunged into a complete internet blackout.
UCC warns of VPN errors
Although there are no laws prohibiting the use of VPNs, the precise legal landscape is unclear.
The executive director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) on Sunday suggested he has no objection to citizens using VPNs to communicate with loved ones. He warned, however, that people using the technology to break the law could face significant consequences.
Separately, a UCC spokesperson hinted at possible prosecution, noting: “We know you are using a VPN to access Facebook, but that does not mean you are immune from legal action.”
Why did Uganda restrict internet access?
The commission justified the move by saying it was necessary to curb the spread of disinformation and election fraud, as well as to protect “national security during the election period.”
However, digital rights experts told TechRadar that the internet shutdown has undermined the democratic process.
ℹ️ Update: With internet connectivity now largely restored in #Uganda following elections held amid widespread internet shutdowns, the measures confirm that the same social media shutdown and filtering schedule and mechanism used during the 2021 elections has been deployed again. pic.twitter.com/cGTkax2ECAJanuary 18, 2026
“Deliberately cutting the country off from the rest of the world just days before a highly anticipated election is a profound betrayal and blatant disregard for democracy,” Felicia Anthonio, campaign director at Access Now, told TechRadar.
This is not the first time Ugandan citizens have faced such restrictions in the run-up to an important vote.
The government imposed a similar ban in the 2021 election, with NetBlocks confirming that authorities are using “exactly the same tactics of shutting down and filtering social media” as they did five years ago.
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