During the Ugandan elections, internet access was disrupted, and the offline messaging app Bitchat topped the local app download charts.

As the Ugandan government cut off nationwide internet access during its presidential election, the encrypted messaging app Bitchat became one of the most downloaded apps in the country. The Uganda Communications Commission confirmed that the internet shutdown took effect at 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday and will continue throughout the election period. Reports indicate that Bitchat, which uses a Bluetooth mesh network for encrypted communication without an internet connection, has topped the download charts on both the Apple App Store and Google Play in Uganda. Meanwhile, several VPN apps are also among the top downloads, showing a significant increase in demand for information in the lead-up to the election. The Ugandan government stated that the internet shutdown aims to prevent the spread of online misinformation during the election, but opponents argue that it could restrict the flow of election-related information. The executive director of the Uganda Communications Commission had previously stated that there would be no internet shutdown, but ultimately implemented the measures. It was disclosed that as of early January, more than 400,000 users in Uganda had downloaded Bitchat. This is the third consecutive time Uganda has implemented a nationwide internet shutdown during a presidential election. Similar measures were taken during the 2016 and 2021 elections. The report also mentioned that Bitchat has been widely used in recent years in many countries during periods of internet restrictions or sudden disasters, gradually becoming an alternative communication tool in environments without internet access. (Cointelegraph)