Ugandan officials cut off internet access and restricted mobile services nationwide on Tuesday, just two days ahead of an election where President Yoweri Museveni is seeking a controversial seventh term after ruling for four decades. The Uganda Communications Commission instructed mobile providers to disable public internet connections starting at 6 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) to prevent “misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud, and related risks,” as stated in a letter obtained by Reuters. In the lead-up to the election, security forces have arrested hundreds of supporters from the opposition and have frequently used live ammunition and tear gas at events backing Museveni’s main opponent, pop star Bobi Wine. The UCC acknowledged in the letter, dated Tuesday and sent to licensed mobile operators and internet service providers, that this directive might create operational difficulties but emphasized the need for cooperation to maintain national stability during this critical time. At 81 years old, Museveni, who took power in 1986 after leading a five-year rebellion, is Africa’s third-longest-serving leader. He has amended the constitution twice to remove age and term limits, and analysts suggest that his strong control over Ugandan institutions makes significant election surprises unlikely in the country of 46 million people. RIGHTS GROUPS HAVE RAISED CONCERNS About rights violations, the internet was shut down at 6 p.m. local time, as confirmed by a Reuters witness. Additionally, the government ordered two local rights organizations to stop their activities before Thursday’s election, which, according to the United Nations Human Rights Office, is occurring in a climate of repression and intimidation.
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