UCC Executive Director, Nyombi Thembo.
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has directed all licensed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to temporarily suspend several telecommunications services, citing security concerns during the election period.
In a directive issued on Tuesday following a recommendation from the Inter-Agency Security Committee, UCC ordered the suspension of public internet access, the sale and registration of new SIM cards, and outbound data roaming services to One Network Area (ONA) countries. The measures take effect at 6:00pm (1800hrs) on January 13, 2026, and will remain in force until the regulator issues a restoration notice.
According to UCC, the decision aims to curb the rapid spread of online misinformation and disinformation, electoral fraud, and the incitement of violence that could undermine public confidence and national security.
“The temporary suspension is intended to mitigate risks associated with the misuse of online platforms during the election period,” UCC said in the directive.
Scope of the Shutdown
Under the directive, operators are required to block all non-essential public internet traffic, including social media platforms, web browsing, video streaming services, personal email, and messaging applications. The suspension applies across six major technologies: mobile broadband, fibre optic networks, leased lines, fixed wireless access, microwave radio links, and satellite internet services.
UCC further instructed operators to disable mobile Virtual Private Network (VPN) services on their networks.
Limited Exemptions for Critical Services
UCC outlined a narrowly defined exclusion list limited to non-mobile internet services, warning operators against extending access beyond the approved categories.
The exempted services fall into three main groups:
Essential public services and critical infrastructure, including healthcare systems at national referral hospitals, core banking and interbank systems, Uganda Revenue Authority tax platforms, immigration and electoral commission secure portals, utilities management, and aviation and railway control systems.
Network management and monitoring tools, such as Network Operations Centres, routing diagnostics, fault detection systems, and cross-border IP transit services.
Regulatory, security, and cybersecurity systems, including intrusion detection and prevention systems, firewalls, SIEM platforms, and secure regulatory reporting portals.
SIM swaps and SIM upgrades are permitted only within existing regulations.
Strict Compliance Measures
The regulator said access to excluded systems must be restricted to authorized personnel through “secure, whitelisted mechanisms,” including dedicated IP ranges, private circuits, or approved VPNs. Operators are required to maintain detailed traffic logs for inspection and to immediately suspend access if any abuse is detected.
“Operators unable to implement these instructions must shut down their entire internet infrastructure,” UCC warned, adding that non-compliance will attract “severe sanctions, including fines and possible license suspension.”
All operators have been instructed to submit details of their whitelisted systems corresponding to the exclusion list with immediate effect.
The directive is expected to significantly limit internet use nationwide during the election period, affecting millions of subscribers who rely on online platforms for communication, business, and information access.
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