When we talk about digital safety for activists, the conversation often jumps straight to encrypted messaging apps or strong passwords. These are important, but underneath all of that sits something more basic and often ignored, the IP address. Your IP address is one of the first and most powerful pieces of information you give away every time you go online. It is quiet, invisible, and deeply political. An IP address is simply a numerical label assigned to your device when it connects to the internet. Think of it as a return address for your online activity. When you visit a website, send an email, or post on social media, your IP address helps data know where to go and where it came from. This is how the internet works. But it is also how tracking begins. Most organizations can see your IP address when you visit their websites. This is not always malicious. Websites use IP addresses to prevent spam, manage traffic, and understand where users are coming from. In countries where civ...
From January 13 to January 26, 2026 , Uganda experienced a government-ordered restriction on internet services surrounding its general election. Initially imposed two days before voting, the shutdown affected nearly all public internet access including social media, messaging apps, web browsing, and critical online tools. The shutdown was gradually lifted over the following days, with some platforms still limited as of January 26 despite restoration of Internet services. ( Anadolu Ajansı ) During this period, the internet was not just an optional convenience; it was a core part of Uganda’s economic infrastructure. Millions of Ugandans rely on mobile money for daily transactions, from paying for transport to buying food and receiving wages, and on the internet for business communication, logistics, e-commerce, and service delivery. When connectivity was suspended, these digital lifelines were abruptly broken. ( Human Rights Watch ) Economic Costs: Who Paid and How Much The financ...