The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has denied issuing the notice regarding bank withdrawals and mobile money shutdowns ahead of the elections.
In a January 3 statement, UCC said it issues updates only through verified channels.
The public was urged to disregard the false notice and consult official UCC sources for accurate information.
“The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) alerts the public that a circulating notice is fake and not issued by the Commission. UCC only distributes official updates via verified channels. The public should ignore the fake notice and consult only official UCC channels for accurate updates,” read part of its clarification.
Uganda is expected to go to the polls on January 15, with President Yoweri Museveni contesting for his seventh term in office under National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
Other contestants include, Frank Bulira (Revolutionary People’s Party), Mugisha Muntu (ANT), Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu (NUP) popularly known as Bobi Wine, Robert Kasibante (National Peasants’ Party), Nathan Nandala Mafabi (FDC), Mubarak Munyagwa (Common Man’s Party) and Joseph Mabirizi (Conservative party).
UCC Denies Bank Withdrawal and Mobile Money Shutdown Ahead of Elections
The fake notice claimed that the Communication Commission had announced sweeping communication restrictions ahead of the country’s forthcoming elections, citing its legal mandate to safeguard the electoral process.
“The Commission therefore, as part of our commitment to ensuring a secure electoral process, we would like to inform the public about important communication security measures that will be implemented leading up to, during and after the upcoming elections,” read part of the fake notice.
Additionally, it stated that as part of the measures, the fake notice advised members of the public to make early financial preparations.
Bank customers who expect to use cash during the election period were urged to withdraw funds before January 8, 2026, warning that banking services will not be available during that time.
Also Read: Ugandan Bishops Sound Warning as Museveni Seeks Re-Election and Critics in Jail
The fake notice also stated that all mobile money platforms, including Mobile Money and Airtel Money, will be switched off nationwide starting January 8, 2026.
Users were advised to plan accordingly to avoid disruptions.
In addition, internet services will be suspended one week before the elections and will remain unavailable throughout the voting period.
The notice also said the move is intended to enhance communication security during the elections.
It ended by urging Uganda citizens to remain calm, participate peacefully in the voting process, and exercise patience as electoral results are compiled and announced.
Also Read: Uganda Addresses Alleged Plot to Rig Elections After Bobi Wine Exposé
Internet Shutdown
In 2021, Uganda’s government shut down social media and internet access during the country’s elections.
However, the East African Law Society responded by filing a legal challenge at the East African Court of Justice.
The shutdown affected online mobile application stores, including the Google Play Store and the App Store, while blocking more than 100 Virtual Private Networks to prevent attempts to bypass its Internet censorship.
According to the East Africa Law Society (EALS), the government issued instructions on January 13, 2021 requiring all Internet Service Providers in Uganda to block access to the Internet.
This led to a total Internet shutdown lasting five days, from 13 to 18 January 2021, including the January 14 polling day.
During this period, no Internet platforms of any kind were accessible.
Although general Internet access was restored on January 18, social media remained blocked for several more days.
The EALS also noted that access to Facebook remained restricted at the time of their report.
The law society stated that ordinary citizens were disconnected from essential services, including online banking and payment systems, Internet-based food suppliers, and travel or transport services.
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