Internet Blackouts Backfire, Fuel Distrust in Uganda

A government-ordered internet shutdown during Uganda's elections may have seriously damaged public trust, a new report suggests. Authorities cut access, citing the need to stop the spread of disinformation and hate speech. However, analysis from the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) indicates the move had the opposite effect. The shutdown appears to have increased citizens' suspicion instead of calming the political environment. By blocking information, the state may have unintentionally fueled rumors and deepened mistrust. Experts warn that such internet bans, often called "digital blackouts," can undermine the credibility of both the electoral process and the government itself. The report concludes that the strategy is often counterproductive, harming public confidence it aims to protect.