Uganda’s internet shutdown during last week’s general election sent shockwaves across the digital economy. The blackout disrupted livelihoods, entertainment, and online gambling activity nationwide. For the iGaming sector, the shutdown translated into halted transactions and disengaged players.
Mobile money agents count the cost
Mobile money agent Mirembe Tracy watched her Kampala business collapse overnight. She told the BBC her operations stopped completely once the shutdown began.
“All withdrawals were disconnected,” she says. She adds that withdrawal commissions generate nearly all her income. Without connectivity, her earnings dropped to zero. “In one week, I can earn up to 450,000 Ugandan shillings (£96; $130),” she says.
“That money is what I use to pay rent. Losing it was a total loss.” For two days around the election, she remained at home. She could only sell prepaid airtime credit. She says airtime sales do not “give a commission”.
Government justification and political fallout
Uganda’s communications authority ordered the nationwide internet shutdown. Officials said the move would “ensure peace, protect national stability and prevent the misuse of communication platforms during a sensitive national exercise”. The opposition strongly disputed the explanation. It said the shutdown aimed to conceal voter fraud.
Opposition leaders also accused authorities of blocking result sharing from polling stations. Regardless of intent, the shutdown froze significant aspects of modern life.
Online businesses grind to a halt
Online ventures relying on mobile money services suffered the heaviest impact as operations ground to a complete halt. Several platforms shut down entirely, while others temporarily switched to cash transactions.
The online gaming sector was also significantly affected as operations were brought to a complete halt, meaning people were unable to access gambling services due to the absence of mobile money services.
Players forced offline
Uganda’s youth struggled to cope without internet access. Ronnie Mwesigwa, 20, described losing contact with friends. “I couldn’t communicate with anyone, and even gaming was gone,” he says. “It was not a good situation.” With online platforms unavailable, he turned to offline content.
He says he only viewed his phone gallery. “That was all I could do.” For online gamers and bettors, the shutdown meant going cold turkey. Esports streams, casino games, and betting platforms became inaccessible.
Journalists face reporting barriers
Uganda-based journalist Ngabo Amon says the blackout deeply affected election coverage. He explains that journalists struggled to show events accurately. “You are talking about people rioting, about tension on the streets,” he says. “But the audience is only seeing your photo and hearing your voice.” “It is not satisfying for the journalist or the viewer,” he adds.
Conditions were worse in rural areas. Some journalists physically transported footage to Kampala. Ngabo recalls videos reaching the city by bus hours later. “By that time, results are already being discussed and tallied,” he says. “Nobody is interested in the footage anymore.”
Election results and lingering restrictions
President Yoweri Museveni, 81, won the election by a landslide. The victory extended his 40-year rule. He accused the opposition of seeking violent disruption. Bobi Wine maintains the results are “fake”. He cited alleged “ballot stuffing”.
An African Union election report criticised the shutdown in Uganda. It said “the internet shutdown limited access to information, freedom of association and curtailed economic activities”.
The report said the blackout “created suspicion and mistrust”. The government partially restored internet access after the results were declared. Some platforms remain slow or restricted. Many young people now rely on VPN services. For the iGaming sector, the shutdown exposed deep dependence on digital access.
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