Environment
UGANDA: INTERNET SHUTDOWN INFURIATES UGANDA.
Northern Uganda Media Club Member attacked Kampala Regime on internet shutdown
By Okanokodi EMar
The Ugandan government, on Tuesday 12th through UCC ordered internet service providers to cut internet access just hours before voting starts.
By Okanokodi EMar
The Ugandan government, on Tuesday 12th through UCC ordered internet service providers to cut internet access just hours before voting starts.
In a letter to telecoms, the head of Uganda Communications Commission Irene Kaggwa Ssewankambo ordered service providers to implement a temporary suspension of the operation of all internet gateways and associated access points until further notice.
The shutdown of internet which up to now has not been fully restored has affected millions of Ugandans who rely on internet for professional, business and social activities.
Oryema John Kinyera, an aspiring mayoral candidate for Acholibur town council says the shutdown of internet has denied him access to information which he used to get online.
The mayoral contender says it’s shameful that the government of Uganda can shutdown internet especially during elections when the world is watching, saying it is one of the reason he decided to contest for elective position
“The reason I decided to seek leadership position is because of the gaps which the current leaders have shown” he states “it is shameful in the eyes of the world that the government shuts down internet which we cannot live without. People’s business have been disrupted” Oryema says
Akello Scovia, a businesswoman in Lacor center says her business has slowed because she has to rely on orders which she says she receives online
David Martin Aliker P’Ocitti, an activist and online influencer says he has socially been affected and that he lost about 4 million shillings in contracted work in just one week of the internet shutdown
“I have been contracted to post things online for which I would be paid per every post I share online. I lost two contracts. I have also been affected socially because I was unable to connect with my family and it happened at a time when my son was not doing fine health wise”
Aliker’s love for the regime has since diminished
“My disregard for government has more than doubled for its inability to respect even my freedom to access information and how to use information” says Aliker
On the positive though he says he has invested his time doing more writings and reading
Although the government cites security concern as the reason for shutting down the internet, Oryema John Kinyera says the excuse the government is giving is pathetic saying it is the biggest indicator on how government has gone low
Meanwhile, members of the opposition parties have criticized the internet shutdown as an attempt by the government to rig the elections.
President Museveni has in the past criticized ‘young people for using the internet to spread rumors’.
According to figures from the communications regulator, Uganda has 20 million internet subscriptions.
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