Uganda’s election internet shutdown drives Bitchat to top app charts
Ugandan authorities have cut internet access nationwide as the presidential election begins on Thursday. This marks the third consecutive election where the government has implemented such measures. Officials say the shutdown is necessary to prevent the spread of online misinformation, but critics argue it suppresses election information and could potentially manipulate outcomes.
The internet went dark on Tuesday at 6:00 pm local time, according to Uganda Communications Commission executive director Nyombi Thembo. His statement on X confirmed what many had feared would happen, despite his assurances just last week that internet wouldn’t be cut off. “Why would you use Bitchat when there is internet, internet will be there, use internet,” he had said previously.
Bitchat’s surge in popularity
With traditional internet access blocked, Ugandans have turned to Bitchat, an encrypted messaging app that operates without internet using Bluetooth mesh networks. The app now sits at the top of both Apple App Store and Google Play charts in Uganda. Data from January 5 showed over 400,000 Ugandans had already downloaded Bitchat, and that number has likely grown significantly since the shutdown began.
Virtual Private Network apps also rank high in Uganda’s app charts, showing that access to information remains a critical need as voting approaches. The situation highlights how people adapt when traditional communication channels are restricted.
A pattern of election internet shutdowns
This isn’t Uganda’s first experience with election-related internet restrictions. During the 2016 election, President Yoweri Museveni imposed a nationwide block on internet and social media access, citing security concerns. A similar four-day blackout occurred in 2021, starting on election night.
Each time, the government has framed these actions as necessary for public safety, while opposition groups and human rights organizations see them as attempts to control information flow during critical political moments.
Bitchat’s global relevance
Bitchat has become a solution for people in various countries facing internet disruptions, whether from government interference or natural disasters. In September, nearly 50,000 Nepalese users turned to the app during temporary social media bans amid corruption protests. A similar situation unfolded in Madagascar about three weeks later.
In November, many Jamaicans used Bitchat when Hurricane Melissa struck with 185-mile-per-hour winds, knocking out regular communication channels. The app’s ability to function without internet infrastructure makes it valuable in crisis situations where traditional networks fail.
The Uganda Communications Commission executive director claimed his team has the technical capacity to turn off Bitchat, though it’s unclear how they would accomplish this given the app’s decentralized, offline nature. This tension between government control measures and decentralized communication tools seems likely to continue, especially in regions with political instability or frequent natural disasters.
What’s interesting, I think, is how quickly people adapt to these restrictions. They find ways to communicate despite obstacles, using whatever tools are available. Bitchat’s surge in Uganda shows that when one channel closes, others open—sometimes in unexpected ways. The pattern of internet shutdowns during elections raises questions about information access in democratic processes, but also demonstrates human resilience in maintaining connections.
