- VPN interest increased in Uganda after the public internet was suspended
- Proton VPN confirmed an 8,000% increase in sign-ups on Tuesday
- Uganda imposes restrictions two days before presidential election
Interest in VPN apps has surged among Ugandan citizens since authorities ordered an internet shutdown on Tuesday (January 13), two days before the country’s presidential election.
According to the latest Google Trends data, searches for the term ‘VPN’ started to increase immediately after the internet shutdown was enforced and continues to increase at the time of writing.
Between 14:00 and 15:00 GMT we saw a +8000% @ProtonVPN signup increase in Uganda 🇺🇬 as the government ordered a suspension of public internet access ahead of Thursday’s elections. We had already seen 2 previous spikes in recent weeks as locals prepared for a predicted internet blackout: pic.twitter.com/rvvz58jBYx13 January 2026
This is despite the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) ordering a temporary suspension of public internet access. While essential services such as online banking and government administrative portals are excluded from the block, the affected services include social media apps, video streaming platforms and messaging apps. Satellite internet services like Starlink are also blocked.
According to the order, only authorized personnel are allowed to use a virtual private network (VPN) to access suspended services. Restrictions remain in effect until the UCC issues a Restoration Notice.
Earlier this month, the UCC dismissed rumors of a potential internet shutdown, while warning individuals who want to use VPNs to circumvent the Facebook ban that they are not “immune to legal action.”
Do VPNs work in Uganda?
As we see 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 bypass tools need a working internet connection to work.
However, the situation in Uganda appears to be different. According to reports on social media, some people in the country have managed to evade restrictions by connecting to VPNs.
Another tweet shows that VPN apps are among the most downloaded apps in Uganda’s official app stores right now, along with mesh messaging that uses Bluetooth connections instead, such as Bitchat.
This may be tied to the fact that Uganda’s internet connection levels were still around 20% on Wednesday morning, according to NetBlocks data. In comparison, connection levels in Iran have been close to zero since January 8, making a VPN impossible to use since the beginning.
ICYMI: #Uganda is currently in the midst of a widespread internet shutdown as telecommunications regulator UCC imposes a blackout ahead of tomorrow’s general election. Far from stopping misinformation, the measure is likely to limit transparency and increase the risk of vote fraud 🗳️ pic.twitter.com/teqeWITnqA14 January 2026
However, the situation in Uganda may develop further in the next few hours.
We reached out to proton and digital rights experts in the country to find out how the situation is evolving 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 the internet shutdown is a necessary measure “to mitigate the rapid spread of online misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and related risks, as well as prevention of incitement to violence that could affect public confidence and national security during the election period.”
However, digital rights experts have long warned that access to the Internet is essential to guarantee free access to information and freedom of expression during such a delicate period. “These rights are essential for inclusive participation and a cornerstone of free, fair and credible elections,” it wrote Get access now.
Uganda has a long history of cutting the internet, especially during elections. The authorities did so during the highly contested 2021 election, with restrictions that lasted a week. In that case, authorities are even cutting access to more than 100 VPN apps, Access Now said.
The Committee to Protect Journalists has already reported on Ugandan journalists who have been assaulted covering the run-up to the crucial presidential election. This election will see, for the second time, opposition leader Bobi Wine, a singer-turned-politician, running against the president of almost 40 years, Yoweri Museveni.
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