Uganda's Internet Shutdown Boosts Bitchat App Downloads

According to Odaily, the Ugandan government has cut off internet access nationwide during the presidential election, leading to a surge in downloads of the encrypted communication app Bitchat. The Uganda Communications Commission confirmed that the internet shutdown took effect at 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday and will remain in place throughout the election period. Bitchat, which enables encrypted communication without internet via a Bluetooth mesh network, has topped the download charts on both the Apple App Store and Google Play in Uganda. Additionally, several VPN applications have also seen high download rates, indicating a significant increase in the public's demand for information access ahead of the election. The Ugandan government stated that the internet shutdown aims to prevent the spread of false information during the election. However, critics argue that this move 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, yet the measure was implemented. As of early January, over 400,000 users in Uganda had downloaded Bitchat. This marks the third consecutive presidential election in Uganda where a nationwide internet shutdown has been enforced, with similar actions taken during the 2016 and 2021 elections. The report also notes that Bitchat has been widely used in various countries facing internet restrictions or sudden disasters, becoming a popular alternative communication tool in such environments.