Uganda Begins Restoring Internet Access after 5-day Nation-wide Shutdown
Connectivity as of now is just 37% compared to normal levels
Internet connectivity in Uganda is currently being restored after a 5-day nation-wide blackout. Major Ugandan ISPs blocked internet access to citizens after receiving a directive from Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) ahead of the country’s presidential and parliamentary elections last week.
NetBlocks recently confirmed partial restoration of internet connectivity in the country. Data from the organization notes that connectivity has risen by just 37% as of the time of writing, urging the country’s authorities to restore full access.
Confirmed: Partial restoration of internet connectivity registered on day 5 of #Uganda election blackout; real-time network data show rise in connectivity to 37% ? #UgandaDecides2021
We call on authorities to restore full access ?
?https://t.co/0qQtBcr4Fc pic.twitter.com/T034LbmuIy
— NetBlocks (@netblocks) January 18, 2021
The UCC had ordered the country’s ISPs to block social media apps and platforms till further notice. Many services were inaccessible during the shutdown, including Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, and many other platforms.
The country’s connectivity hit 12% of normal levels on January 14th, before the country announced the presidential winner on the 16th.
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