Mabirizi Sues to Stop Internet Shutdowns During 2026 Elections
Mabirizi contends that such shutdowns amount to “a violation and threat to Ugandan citizens’ rights in a free and democratic society,” and wants the court to issue a permanent injunction preventing any similar disconnections during and after the 2026 presidential and parliamentary elections.
Prominent Ugandan lawyer Male Mabirizi has petitioned the court to stop the government from shutting down internet, social media, and mobile money services during elections.
In a suit filed on 14 July 2025 against the Attorney General, Mabirizi argues that past service disruptions during electoral periods violated several constitutional rights, including freedom of expression, movement, and association, as well as access to information and education.
The petition follows historical precedents during the 2016 and 2021 general elections, when Ugandan authorities implemented internet blackouts and social media restrictions. Mobile money services were also suspended in 2021, affecting financial transactions nationwide.
Mabirizi contends that such shutdowns amount to “a violation and threat to Ugandan citizens’ rights in a free and democratic society,” and wants the court to issue a permanent injunction preventing any similar disconnections during and after the 2026 presidential and parliamentary elections.
He further claims that these measures not only breach the right to communication but also hinder participation in governance, religious freedom, and cultural expression.
The Attorney General, who serves as the government's chief legal advisor, is expected to respond to the case in due course.
Uganda has previously faced criticism from international rights groups over restrictions on digital freedoms, especially during politically sensitive periods. The government has defended such actions as necessary for national security and public order.
The court has yet to set a hearing date for the case.
