By KT Reporter
Internet access across Uganda has been partially restored, five days after the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) ordered its suspension ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections.
However, users across the country continue to report slow speeds, unstable connections, and limited access to social media platforms.
The restoration follows a January 13 directive in which UCC Director Nyombi Thembo instructed mobile network operators and internet service providers to suspend public internet access, halt the sale and registration of new SIM cards, and block outbound data roaming to One Network Area countries. The measures, implemented at 6 pm two days to the elections, primarily affected cyber cafés, public Wi-Fi hotspots, and other shared access points.
On Sunday, while basic connectivity returned, many users said access remained unreliable. Social media platforms loaded intermittently, messaging applications experienced delays, and video and image content failed to load almost consistently. Several users reported that mobile data bundles were being consumed despite limited functionality.
“We have internet, but it’s crawling,” said a business owner in Kampala who didn’t want to be quoted given the political mood in the country. “Emails take minutes to send, and social media opens only sometimes. It feels like the restrictions are still partly in place.”
From early morning, users reported difficulty loading popular platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). Messages failed to send, images did not load, and videos stalled indefinitely. Many described the connection as unstable, with brief moments of access followed by long periods of buffering. Some of the people our reporter has talked to across Kampala and other urban centers on phone still had challenges, employees struggled to send emails, attend virtual meetings, and access cloud-based systems.
“We kept refreshing, restarting routers, and switching networks, but nothing changed”, said Taison Kule one of the IT personel in Kampala.
The slowdown comes amid lingering questions over the scope and duration of the directive. UCC had stated that the suspension would remain in force until a formal restoration notice was issued, but as of today Sunday, no detailed public explanation had been provided regarding the phased return of services or the causes of the continued limitations.
The shutdown was justified by UCC as a measure to curb the spread of misinformation and disinformation, prevent electoral fraud, and reduce the risk of online incitement to violence during the election period. The directive followed earlier statements by the Electoral Commission warning that internet access would depend on user conduct online.
Civil society groups and digital rights advocates have previously criticized such measures, arguing that partial or full internet restrictions undermine access to information, freedom of expression, and transparency during elections. The continued slowdown, they say, prolongs those concerns even after voting has concluded.
As Uganda transitions out of the election period, sampled internet users and businesses are now calling for full restoration of services and greater transparency from authorities regarding any ongoing technical or regulatory limitations.
Although many say, the return of connectivity has brought relief, others say the slow speed also shows how fragile access to digital communication remains during politically sensitive moment . Incumbent President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni won the elections that were conducted when the nation was in internet black out with majority of the business closed and counting losses since majority thrive and survive on the internet to get customers.
Meanwhile, Uganda Radio Network has learnt that UCC chief Nyombi Thembo may address the media at their headquarters in Bugolobi shortly this afternoon.
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