26 January 2026 – Uganda has fully restored public internet access after days of nationwide restrictions imposed around the January 15 presidential election, with the communications regulator and major telecom companies confirming compliance with a directive issued by the army leadership.
The restoration was first announced by Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who wrote on X that “all social media” platforms were being released. In the same post, the son of President Museveni thanked Ugandans “for their support and co-operation throughout this electoral season.”
Within two hours of the CDF’s post, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) confirmed that internet services had been fully restored across the country. Airtel Uganda and MTN Uganda, the country’s largest telecom providers, promptly followed suit, issuing statements confirming they had reconnected access to most social media platforms. Facebook, however, remains blocked, continuing its long-running staycation that started in 2021.
The restoration follows a shutdown ordered two days before the January 15 vote, when UCC directed telecom operators to suspend mobile and public internet services, citing national security and public order concerns. The directive disrupted daily life, blocking social media, web browsing, messaging applications and video platforms across both mobile and fixed networks. Financial services, including mobile money transactions, were also affected.
After the polls, on 18 January 2026, authorities began a phased internet restoration, allowing businesses and mainstream web services to regain connectivity. Social media platforms, mainly TikTok, X, WhatsApp and Instagram, remained blocked, while key financial services, including mobile money withdrawals, were still unavailable, leaving many Ugandans struggling to access cash.
As a result, many turned to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass restrictions, though some were reportedly unable to reconnect. On 20 January, mobile money withdrawal services were quietly restored on MTN and Airtel Uganda.
The return of full internet access this week completes the gradual reopening, though the continued blocking of Facebook raises fresh questions about how long restrictions on the platform will last.
We are releasing all social media today. I thank all the great people of Uganda for their support and co-operation throughout this electoral season. You are truly the greatest people on earth and you give us all the courage to serve. Godbless you all.
— Muhoozi Kainerugaba (@mkainerugaba) January 26, 2026
