Uganda Restores Full Access to Social Media After Election Shutdown

Uganda has fully restored access to all social media platforms following restrictions imposed during the recent general elections, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has announced.

In a post on X on Monday, Muhoozi thanked Ugandans for their patience and cooperation throughout the election period, describing the move as a return to normalcy.

“We are releasing all social media today. I thank all the great people of Uganda for their support and co-operation throughout this electoral season. You are truly the greatest people on earth and you give us all the courage to serve. God bless you all,” he wrote.

Major platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and WhatsApp, had been restricted as authorities cited security and public order concerns during the elections.

The shutdown, however, attracted criticism from civil society organisations, media groups and digital rights advocates, who argued that the restrictions curtailed access to information and undermined freedom of expression.

The restoration is expected to ease communication nationwide, revive online business activities and allow media organisations and citizens to fully resume digital engagement after weeks of disruption.

The Uganda Communications Commission had cut internet services on January 13, a day before the national polls, amid opposition claims of widespread irregularities. Rights groups also criticised the lack of live transmission of results, saying the restrictions weakened transparency and public trust in the electoral process.

President Yoweri Museveni, 81, was declared winner of the January 15, 2026, presidential election last week, securing a seventh term in office. His victory extends his rule to more than four decades, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.

Official results released by the Electoral Commission showed Museveni’s National Resistance Movement (NRM) secured 7.9 million votes, representing 71.6 per cent of the total, while his closest challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine, polled 2.7 million votes.

Museveni’s new term is set to run from 2026 to 2031.