Silenced Networks, Silent Losses: The Real Impact of Uganda’s Internet Shutdown

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 financial losses from the shutdown were immediate and measurable. Reports indicate that just four days of restricted internet access wiped out an estimated UGX 24 billion (about USD 7 million) in data revenue for major telecom operators like MTN and Airtel. (Innovation Village) In addition, analysts noted that mobile money and forex businesses were severely disrupted, leaving customers unable to access funds or conduct exchanges, and that digital platforms such as transport-booking and delivery services were forced to halt operations entirely. (Monitor)

Industry data also shows that everyday transactions, many of them below UGX 50,000, ground to a halt. For the informal sector, which represents a large portion of Uganda’s workforce, this meant lost income and deferred payments that households count on for survival.

The broader context amplifies these losses. Global research on internet shutdowns estimates that such disruptions cost the world economy billions of dollars annually, nearly USD 20 billion in 2025 alone, by interrupting digital commerce, communication, and productivity. (Top10VPN)

Tools That Measure the Cost

Organizations such as NetBlocks provide frameworks and analytical tools that estimate the economic impact of internet outages. The NetBlocks Cost of Shutdown Tool (COST) uses national digital economy indicators, like GDP and internet usage rates, to approximate the financial damage caused by connectivity restrictions. (NetBlocks) These tools give researchers, policymakers, and civil society a quantitative way to document the often-hidden economic toll of shutdowns and advocate for policy change.

A Feminist Perspective: Unequal Burdens

Viewed through a feminist lens, the shutdown’s impact was not evenly felt. Women in Uganda, especially those in rural areas or working in the informal sector, disproportionately rely on mobile money and digital marketplaces to support households and small enterprises. When internet services are cut, women’s ability to manage finances, engage customers, and access information is curtailed first and hardest.

Women entrepreneurs often operate with narrower financial margins and less access to safety nets. For them, even a short period without connectivity means lost orders, unpaid wages, and increased vulnerability. Moreover, social media is a vital space for women’s civic participation, peer support, and access to health and legal information, all of which were restricted during the shutdown.

Impact on Investment Appetite and Development

The repeated use of internet shutdowns during election cycles creates a risk premium for investors considering Uganda and the wider region. Digital infrastructure and stable connectivity are key factors in decisions by foreign and domestic investors, particularly in sectors like fintech, e-commerce, outsourcing, and tech startups. When governments appear willing to suspend internet services for political reasons, it sends a signal that the digital environment is volatile, discouraging long-term investment commitments.

Such disruptions can push investors to less risky markets within East Africa or beyond, slowing economic growth and innovation in Uganda. The potential cost is not only measured in lost revenues from a few days of downtime, but also in delayed business ventures, reduced competitiveness, and lower confidence in the national economy.

Conclusion

Uganda’s internet shutdown around the 2026 elections was more than a technical interruption. It was a systemic shock to the economy, hitting individuals, businesses, and critical services alike. The financial losses, visible in telecom revenues, informal sector revenues, and digital transactions, reveal how deeply connectivity is woven into modern life. Tools like NetBlocks’ COST help quantify these losses, but the real impact is felt in homes, on streets, and in the stalled opportunities of entrepreneurs, particularly women. In an increasingly digital world, access to the internet is not just a convenience. It is a foundation for economic participation, social inclusion, and democratic engagement, and its suspension comes at a cost that extends far beyond numbers on a balance sheet.

 

Reading References

• Human Rights Watch, “Uganda: Blanket Internet Shutdown Violates Rights.” (Human Rights Watch)
• Al Jazeera, “Uganda Cuts Internet Days Before Presidential Election.” (aljazeera.com)
• The Observer (Kampala), “The Day the Internet Went Dark — and Uganda’s Economy Bled.” (observer.ug)
• Innovation Village and other reports on telecom revenue loss. (Innovation Village)
• Monitor (Uganda), “Economic Ramifications of Internet Shutdown.” (Monitor)
• NetBlocks Cost of Shutdown Tool documentation. (NetBlocks)
• Top10VPN report on global internet shutdown costs. (Top10VPN)