Uganda Shuts Down Internet Ahead Of Elections

KAMPALA, Jan 14 (Bernama-dpa) -- Uganda has shut down the internet and access to various social media ahead of Thursday’s parliamentary and presidential elections to prevent the spread of misinformation, authorities said on Wednesday, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

Messaging services have also been out of service since Tuesday evening in the East African country.

Officials said the measure followed a recommendation from the security services.

But human rights activists say the government is creating a climate of fear.

"We have seen police and army beating up people simply for standing at the road and waving at presidential candidates from the opposition," Ugandan human rights activist Agather Atuhaire told journalists in Nairobi.

"Everyone in Uganda is living in fear. This is an election that makes people afraid to go to vote. This election will not be free and fair," he said.

A few days earlier, several non-governmental organisations had to restrict their activities because of alleged violations of national interests. They include a journalists’ organisation, an election-monitoring organisation and human rights groups.

Uganda’s 81-year-old President Yoweri Museveni is running for a seventh term. He has led the country since 1986.

Among the eight candidates, 43-year-old former musician Robert Kyagulanyi, better known by his stage name Bobi Wine, is seen as Museveni’s strongest rival. He is particularly popular among young people.

During the campaign, however, he faced numerous restraints on his activities. Security forces repeatedly prevented campaign events or broke them up using tear gas, Amnesty International criticised.

-- BERNAMA-dpa