Uganda restoring internet access after 5-day Nation-wide Shutdown
Internet connectivity in Uganda is reportedly currently being restored after a 5-day nation-wide blackout. The government had shut it down ahead of the national elections that were held last week.
Uganda Communications Commission had ordered telecommunications companies and other Internet Service Provides to immediately suspend any access and use of social media and online messaging platforms. Internet services were shut down across major providers as of 7 p.m. Wednesday 13 January 2021 leaving citizens in an information vacuum that has remained in place during the preliminary announcement of results.
As polls closed and vote counting began, NetBlocks reported that national internet connectivity fell further to just 12% of ordinary levels:
NetBlocks in a tweet posted today however confirmed partial restoration of internet connectivity in the country. Data from the non-governmental organization that monitors cybersecurity and the governance of the Internet notes that connectivity has risen by just 37% today and is expected to be fully restored today.
The 5-day shutdown according NetBlocks could have already cost the Ugandan economy around $9 million.
