Museveni. Photo/Courtesy
Vocal Africa has strongly condemned the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) for ordering a total suspension of public internet and mobile services ahead of Thursday’s general elections.
The directive, which blocks social media platforms, messaging applications, and personal emails, has been described by the advocacy group as a deliberate attempt to plunge the nation into a digital blackout.
The group argued that the move violates fundamental human rights, including the freedoms of expression and access to information, which are critical for credible democratic processes.
“The justification of ‘national security’ cannot be used as a shield to facilitate state-sponsored censorship and the intimidation of voters,” Vocal Africa said in a statement.
The organization warned that cutting off internet access not only suppresses citizen voices but also endangers public safety by disrupting essential communication channels and creating a vacuum for misinformation.
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The group also appealed to international bodies to hold Uganda accountable for what it described as a calculated assault on digital democracy.
The internet shutdown comes as Uganda prepares for elections, raising concerns among human rights organizations and digital rights advocates about transparency, voter participation, and the ability of citizens to report irregularities in real time.