Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba on Monday announced the full restoration of social media platforms, ending government-imposed restrictions during the January 2026 elections.
The move follows a partial internet ban aimed at curbing electoral unrest, marking a return to full online engagement across the country.
In a statement, Gen. Muhoozi expressed gratitude to Ugandans for their cooperation and support throughout the electoral period, saying, “We are releasing all social media today. I thank all the great people of Uganda for their support and cooperation throughout this electoral season. You are truly the greatest people on earth, and you give us all the courage to serve. Godbless you all.”
The announcement signals a significant shift after weeks of limited online activity, following a nationwide internet shutdown ordered before voting day.
The government had cited the need to prevent electoral irregularities and maintain public order as justification for the ban.
Although the internet was partially restored on January 18, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) maintained restrictions on social media and over-the-top (OTT) applications such as WhatsApp, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Telegram, and various app stores. Facebook, suspended since 2021, remained inaccessible.
Despite these measures, many Ugandans circumvented the bans using virtual private networks (VPNs), which masked their locations and enabled continued access to the blocked platforms.
The government had warned that individuals using VPNs to bypass the shutdown could face legal consequences.
Opposition figures, including presidential candidate Bobi Wine, had voiced concerns about the internet shutdown's impact on transparency and communication.
Wine revealed plans to deploy an offline messaging app designed to maintain communication with supporters despite the restrictions.
“As we all know, the regime is plotting an internet shutdown in the coming days, as they have done in all previous elections,” Wine wrote on X.
“They switch off the internet to block communication and ensure that citizens do not organise, verify their election results and demand accountability over the massive election theft.”
The offline app allowed supporters to share information securely without an internet connection, including photographs of electoral forms, thus ensuring some continuity of communication during the restricted period.
Gen. Muhoozi’s statement comes at a time of heightened political activity, with the CDF maintaining an active presence on digital platforms despite the restrictions.
While the UCC has not officially confirmed the restoration of social media, many analysts view Muhoozi’s announcement as credible, given his close ties to the presidency as both the son of President Yoweri Museveni and the country’s Chief of Defence Forces.
The lifting of social media restrictions is expected to restore normalcy to online discourse and political engagement after a period of heightened tensions and limited connectivity during Uganda’s recent elections.
As the country moves forward, the role of digital communication in political processes remains a key point of interest for citizens and observers alike.
