After 28 days in the abyss of restricted internet access, Uganda is now embracing unrestricted access to the internet.
Social media access was indefinitely switched off in the days leading up to the general election, with the whole worldwide web shut off on the eve of the elections. Access would be restored five days later, but with restricted access.
Ugandans had to resort to Virtual Private Networks to gain access to social media and online entertainment sites. WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook, Telegram, and Netflix were among the sites that suffered heaviest from the ban on access.
Internet and Social media services have been fully restored.
Peter Ogwang, Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance
The minister apologized to Ugandans for the inconveniences caused and maintained that the ban was in effect because of security concerns. He urged Ugandans to be constructive on social media and do away with any destructive use of media to derail the country’s image and name.
The irony of the matter is that the message was sent out on Twitter, a site whose access had been suspended. This all comes after a rumor that the President had ordered his officials to look into the possibility of VPN usage in the country.
