{"id":2310,"date":"2021-01-09T06:46:08","date_gmt":"2021-01-09T03:46:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/techrafiki.com\/?p=2310"},"modified":"2021-01-18T16:29:52","modified_gmt":"2021-01-18T13:29:52","slug":"internet-shutdown-in-uganda-ahead-of-2021-elections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/techrafiki.com\/internet-shutdown-in-uganda-ahead-of-2021-elections\/","title":{"rendered":"Internet shutdown in Uganda starts ahead of 2021 elections as citizens suffer to download apps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As the UG elections <\/a>inch closer just a few days away, it looks like one of our fears has already come true and that\u2019s the internet shutdown in Uganda. This does not come as a shock because many expected it as one of the strategies to control people’s access to the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TechRafiki has learned that Google PlayStore and AppStore the market places where Android and iPhone users download apps from are not accessible on some networks (MTN, Airtel and Lyca so far tested). YouTube too has joined the list as per our current findings. For one to download an app onto their phones from these app market places or access youtube.com<\/a>, they have to first switch on their VPNs and establish a connection in another country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For now, social Media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp remain accessible for users that pay the OTT tax and these have not not been shut down yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We recently wrote an article with List of VPNs to download ahead of UG elections.<\/a><\/span> and we hope you managed to secure one before the shut down of the app stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet shutdown in Uganda of 2016<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is not the first time the internet shutdown in Uganda happens. In 2016, on election day no one had access to social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp. Internet users were left confused and stranded as they were stuck with messages that could not be sent and couldn\u2019t receive any either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This time around, the talk has been going on for a while as people said they\u2019d be much more prepared. By being more prepared many mean they\u2019re going to download VPN\u2019s to help them get access to the internet that day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looks like that strategy might not work as the App Store for iPhone users and Play store for Android users are all down. This has left many wondering what the problem could be as they share their agony on social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"internet
Courtesy\/gizbot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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I can't seem to download anything from playstore<\/p>— Jordan Tumwesigye (@JTumwesigye) January 8, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote>