After four days of enforced silence, Uganda has seen the restoration of its internet services, albeit with lingering restrictions on social media and messaging applications. Connectivity began to return on Sunday, yet reports from internet monitoring organization NetBlocks indicate that access to several platforms remains limited. In a notable surge, Proton VPN reported an unprecedented spike in usage, with signups from Uganda soaring by 8,000% within just one hour of the initial restrictions being imposed.
UCC warns against VPN misuse
Currently, utilizing a VPN stands as the sole method for Ugandans to access the blocked social media and messaging platforms, which include popular services such as X, TikTok, Instagram, Telegram, and WhatsApp. While there are no explicit laws prohibiting the use of VPNs, the legal framework surrounding their usage is somewhat ambiguous. On Sunday, the Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) expressed a degree of tolerance towards citizens employing VPNs to stay connected with family and friends. However, he cautioned that those leveraging this technology for unlawful activities could face serious repercussions. A spokesperson for the UCC further hinted at the possibility of legal action, stating, “We know you are using VPN to access Facebook, but that does not mean you are immune to legal action.”
Why did Uganda restrict access to the internet?
The UCC mandated internet service providers to halt access on Tuesday, just ahead of a pivotal presidential election. The commission defended this decision by asserting it was essential to mitigate the spread of misinformation and election fraud, as well as to safeguard “national security during the election period.” Felicia Anthonio, campaign manager at Access Now, criticized the move, describing it as a “profound betrayal and a blatant disregard for democracy.” This is not the first instance of such restrictions in Uganda; a similar internet blackout was enforced during the 2021 elections, with NetBlocks confirming that the government is employing the same tactics of shutdown and social media filtering as seen five years ago.
