VPN interest spikes in Uganda as the internet gets disrupted ahead of the general elections

• VPN interest spiked in Uganda after the public internet was suspended
• Proton VPN confirmed a 8,000% increase in signups on Tuesday
• Uganda imposes restrictions two days ahead of presidential elections

An interest in VPN apps has quickly spiked among Uganda's citizens as authorities ordered an internet shutdown on Tuesday (January 13), two days ahead of the country's presidential elections.

As per the latest Google Trends data, searches for the term 'VPN' began rising immediately after the internet shutdown was enforced, and continue to rise at the time of writing.

Proton VPN, one of the best free VPN apps on the market, confirmed an 8,000% increase in signups from Uganda between 2 pm and 3 pm GMT on Tuesday alone. "We had already seen two prior spikes in recent weeks, as locals prepared for a predicted Internet blackout," added David Peterson, Proton VPN's General Manager, in a tweet.

This comes despite the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) ordering a temporary suspension of public internet access. While essential services like online banking and government administrative portals are excluded from the block, impacted services include social media apps, video streaming platforms, and messaging apps. Satellite internet services like Starlink are aslo blocked.

As per the order, only authorized personnel are allowed to use a virtual private network (VPN) to access suspended services. Restrictions will remain in force until the UCC issues a restoration notice.

Earlier this month, the UCC dismissed the rumors of a potential internet shutdown, while warning individuals looking to use VPNs to circumvent the ban on Facebook that they are not "immune to legal action."

Are VPNs working in Uganda?

As we are seeing with the ongoing Iranian digital blackout, not even the best VPN apps can help people get back online during a total internet shutdown. That's because VPNs and similar circumventing tools need a functioning internet connection to work.

The situation in Uganda, however, appears to be different. According to social media reports, some people in the country have managed to evade restrictions by connecting to VPNs.

Another tweet shows VPN apps are among the most downloaded apps in Uganda's official app stores right now, alongside mesh messaging using Bluetooth connections instead, such as Bitchat.

This may be bound to the fact that Uganda's internet connectivity levels were still around 20% on Wednesday morning, according to NetBlocks data. For comparison, in Iran, connectivity levels have been near zero since January 8, making a VPN impossible to use since the beginning.

However, the situation in Uganda could further develop in the next few hours.

We have approached Proton and digital rights experts in the country to know how the situation is developing and what people can do to overcome restrictions. We will update the page with the latest information as soon as we hear back.

Why has Uganda suspended internet access?

The UCC said that the internet shutdown is a necessary measure "to mitigate the rapid spread of online misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and related risks, as well as preventing of incitment of violence that could affect public confidence and national security during the election period."

Digital rights experts, however, have long warned that access to the internet is crucial to guarantee free access to information and freedom of expression during such a delicate period. "These rights are essential to inclusive participation, and a cornerstone of free, fair and credible elections," wrote Access Now.

Uganda has a long history of cutting the internet, especially during elections. Authorities did so during the highly contested elections of 2021, with restrictions lasting one week. In that instance, authorities even cut access to more than 100 VPN apps, said Access Now.

The Committee to Protect Journalists has already reported on Ugandan journalists being assaulted for covering the lead-up to the crucial presidential elections. This election will see, for the second time, opposition leader Bobi Wine, a singer-turned-politician, battling against the almost 40-year-long President, Yoweri Museveni.

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