Ugandan authorities cut internet access and restricted mobile services across the country on Tuesday, two days before an election in which President Yoweri Museveni is seeking a contentious seventh term after more than four decades in power.
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) directed mobile service providers to shut down public internet connections from 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday, citing the need to curb “misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and related risks,” according to a letter seen by media.
“The UCC acknowledges the operational challenges this directive may impose and appreciates your full cooperation in upholding national stability during this sensitive period,” the commission said in the letter, which was addressed to licensed mobile operators and internet service providers.
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Security forces have also detained hundreds of opposition supporters in the run-up to the election and repeatedly fired live bullets and tear gas at campaign events in support of Museveni’s leading challenger, pop star Bobi Wine.
The 81-year-old Museveni, who came to power in 1986 after leading a five-year rebellion, is Africa’s third-longest ruling head of state. He has twice amended the constitution to remove age and term limits, and analysts say his dominance of Ugandan institutions leaves little prospect of an election upset in the East African nation of 46 million people.
Uganda’s internet went offline at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, witnesses confirmed.
On the same day, the government ordered two local rights groups to cease operations ahead of Thursday’s election. The United Nations Human Rights Office said the vote is taking place amid an atmosphere of repression and intimidation.
The groups, which had criticised the alleged arbitrary detention and torture of opposition supporters and journalists, were targeted by the state-run National Bureau for NGOs. In a letter to one organisation, Chapter Four Uganda, the bureau said it had been involved in activities “prejudicial” to Uganda’s security and “should cease operations … with immediate effect.”
Robert Ssempala, head of the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-U), confirmed that his organisation received a similar letter. Stephen Okello, director of the state NGO bureau, acknowledged sending the letters.
The UN Human Rights Office said in a report on Friday that Uganda’s police and military had used live ammunition to disperse peaceful rallies, carried out arbitrary detentions, and abducted opposition supporters in the run-up to the vote.
A Ugandan government spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment, while Museveni’s administration defended the security forces’ actions as a justified response to what it described as lawless conduct by opposition supporters.
