- Internet is restored in Uganda after four days of restrictions during elections
- Access to social networks and messaging applications remains restricted
- Proton VPN confirms usage has reached “an all-time high”
Uganda’s internet shutdown ended after four days, but VPN services are still needed to access social media and messaging apps.
Connectivity was gradually restored on Sunday, although the latest data from internet watchdog NetBlocks shows authorities are still restricting access to several social media platforms.
David Peterson, CEO of Proton VPN said usage in the country has reached “an all-time high.”
This follows an 8,000% increase in registrations from Uganda in just one hour on Tuesday when restrictions were first imposed. Despite the initial surge, all traffic stalled on Wednesday as the country was plunged into a complete internet blackout.
UCC warns against VPN errors
While there is no law preventing the use of VPNs, the precise legal landscape is confusing.
On Sunday, the Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) suggested that he had no problem with citizens using VPNs to communicate with their loved ones. However, he warned that people who use technology to break the law could face significant consequences.
Separately, a UCC spokesperson hinted at possible prosecution, saying: “We know you are using VPN to access Facebook, but that doesn’t mean you are immune from legal action.”
Why did Uganda restrict Internet access?
The commission justified the measure by stating that it was necessary to curb the spread of misinformation and electoral fraud, as well as to protect “national security during the electoral period.”
However, digital rights experts told TechRadar that the internet shutdown undermined the democratic process.
ℹ️ Update: Now that internet connectivity has largely been restored in #Uganda following elections held under a widespread internet shutdown, metrics confirm that the exact same social media shutdown and filtering timeline and mechanism used during the 2021 elections has been re-implemented. pic.twitter.com/cGTkax2ECAJanuary 18, 2026
“Deliberately isolating the country from the rest of the world just days before a long-awaited election is a deep betrayal and a blatant disregard for democracy,” Felicia Anthonio, campaign director for Access Now, told TechRadar.
This is not the first time Ugandans have faced such restrictions ahead of an important vote.
The government imposed a similar blackout during the 2021 election, and NetBlocks confirmed that authorities are using “exactly the same social media shutdown and filtering tactics” as five years ago.
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