Museveni Secures Victory Amid Controversy as Partial Internet Services Resume in Uganda
Uganda Restores Partial Internet Services Amid Post-Election Tensions
The Ugandan government restored partial internet services on the evening of Saturday, January 17th, following a significant disruption that coincided with the recent presidential election. The restoration came after President Yoweri Museveni, aged 81, secured a landslide victory, extending his rule into its fifth decade. However, opposition candidates have rejected the election results, citing irregularities and alleged fraud.
According to reports from Reuters, internet users in Uganda reported regaining access to limited services around 11 PM local time on Saturday. Internet service providers informed their customers that regulatory authorities had permitted the resumption of services excluding social media platforms. A spokesperson for Airtel Uganda, one of the country's largest telecom companies, confirmed the restoration, stating that it aimed to enable businesses dependent on internet connectivity to resume operations. However, social media remains inaccessible under directives from the national communications regulator.
The Ugandan Communications Commission defended the earlier internet shutdown as a measure to combat 'false information, misinformation, and election fraud.' Critics argue that this move was intended to consolidate control over the electoral process and ensure Museveni's re-election.
Museveni secured 71.6% of the votes, while his main challenger, popular musician-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, obtained 24%. The election has sparked controversy, with international observers from the African Union and other regional bodies criticizing military interference and the internet blackout.
In a report released on Saturday, the observer mission highlighted that the pre-election internet restrictions had hindered access to information, curtailed freedom of assembly, and disrupted economic activities. These measures also eroded public trust in the electoral process.
Museveni has been in power since 1986, and his latest victory extends his tenure until 2031. Speculations abound that he may be paving the way for his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to succeed him as president. The younger Museveni currently leads the Ugandan military and has expressed interest in running for office.
Bobi Wine has categorically rejected the election results, alleging widespread fraud. Following the announcement of the results, sporadic protests were reported across Kampala on Saturday evening. Reuters correspondents and police sources confirmed these incidents.
In a post on social media platform X on Sunday, Wine claimed to have narrowly escaped a raid on his residence by security forces. His whereabouts remain undisclosed as of now, though close associates revealed that he is still within Uganda, in an undisclosed location.
This is not the first time Wine has faced state action; following the 2021 election, he was briefly placed under house arrest. He has also accused authorities of detaining hundreds of his supporters in the months leading up to the polls, with some allegedly subjected to torture. Government officials have dismissed these claims, asserting that all arrests were lawful and in accordance with legal procedures.
The situation in Uganda remains tense as political divisions deepen and international scrutiny intensifies.