With barely two weeks to Uganda’s 2026 election, opposition leader and music star Bobi Wine has warned supporters to prepare for a possible internet shutdown, citing the internet blackout imposed during the 2021 polls.
In a December 30, 2025 post on X, Bobi Wine urged Ugandans to download Bitchat, writing that “the regime[the current government] is plotting an internet shutdown in the coming days, like they have done in all previous elections…” He described the app as a tool that allows communication with thousands of people without an internet connection. Bobi Wine reiterated the message a day later, linking the Bitchat App to the #ProtestVote2026 campaign.
So, what is Bitchat, and will it work for Ugandans when the government decides to shut down the internet during the January general election?
What is Bitchat?
Launched in Beta in July 2025, Bitchat is a free, open-source messaging app developed by Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter, now X.
Unlike WhatsApp or Telegram, Bitchat does not rely on mobile data or Wi-Fi for connection, phone numbers or emails for sign-up, or central servers to relay, manage, or store messages. The app works entirely offline using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networking. This design makes it useful in situations where connectivity is poor or deliberately cut. Bitchat can still work with an internet connection, but its primary purpose is to enable communication when centralised networks are down or under surveillance.
According to Tech for Palestine, Bitchat has already been used by Gen Z protesters in countries such as Madagascar, Indonesia, Nepal, and Côte d’Ivoire.
How Bitchat Works
To restate, messages on Bitchat do not pass through servers.
Instead, they move from one nearby phone to another using a Bluetooth connection.
Each device acts as a relay point, forming a mesh network. While normal Bluetooth works within about 10 metres, the mesh allows messages to travel much further, depending on how many active devices are nearby to form a chain. In dense areas, messages can cover hundreds of metres or even several kilometres.
The app also uses end-to-end encryption, making it difficult to track conversations or intercept direct messages.
You can message users directly using their usernames or interact within public channels. Tapping a username lets you send a direct message or mention them in a channel.
Availability and Adoption
Bitchat is available on iOS under the name Bitchat Mesh and on Android via app stores or APK sideloading. Following Bobi Wine’s post, Ugandans are heavily downloading the App.
How to Use the Bitchat App
The people icon at the top right shows nearby users available for direct messaging, even when inside a Channel chat.
Next to it are location-based channels, ranging from small mesh groups to neighbourhoods, cities, provinces, regions, and even nationwide channels. To reach the widest audience, users can join region channels, which can cover distances of up to 1,250 km.
Your username can be changed from the top-left corner of the app by simply tapping the Bitchat/@annon#….
One clear limitation is that public channels are open. Anyone within range can join, read messages, and contribute. For private messaging, you can tap the username for direct messaging.
Currently, Bitchat only supports text messages. However, as an open-source app, some developers have created modified versions that can send photos and videos, unlike the official release.
Bitchat: Real-World Testing in Uganda
During our test, messages were successfully delivered not only within short distances but also across towns such as Mukono, Gayaza, and Luweero, places over 50 kilometres apart. The only requirement is a continuous chain of devices with Bluetooth enabled between the sender and recipient.
According to the design, a message could travel from Makindye to Jinja if enough phones along the route are Bluetooth-enabled.
Why People Are Paying Attention
YouTube Tech reviewers note that Bitchat is useful in areas without mobile coverage, during demonstrations, in sensitive meetings, and for journalist source protection.
With election day approaching, many Ugandans expect another internet shutdown. To stay connected during a blackout, it helps to install Jack Dorsey’s vibe-coded Bitchat App early and share your usernames in advance.
