The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has dismissed as fake a screenshot circulating online that claims a second internet lockdown will begin on 19 January 2026 at 9:00 pm.

In a post shared on its official X account on Monday, January 19, 2026, the regulator said the screenshot was false and deliberately misleading. UCC warned those spreading the message that misinformation was not activism but sabotage and could carry legal consequences. The commission urged the public to rely only on verified and official sources for updates.

The advisory explained that UCC had already communicated its position a day earlier. On January 18, 2026, the commission ordered the restoration of public internet access across the country after the conclusion of the general elections and a comprehensive security assessment. According to UCC, no further suspension had been planned or approved.

To counter the false claim, UCC released an image of the fake screenshot.

Shutdown fears after elections

The misinformation emerged shortly after Uganda’s 2026 general elections, held on January 15. Ahead of the vote, authorities imposed a nationwide internet suspension starting on January 13, at 6:00 pm. UCC said security agencies had recommended the move to prevent the spread of misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and threats to national security during a sensitive period.

President Yoweri Museveni secured a seventh term in the election, extending his rule beyond four decades. Opposition leaders rejected the results, raising concerns over transparency and fairness. The tense political climate contributed to uncertainty among the public, creating space for false information to spread online.

On January 18, UCC announced the restoration of internet access following a review by the Inter-Agency Security Committee. The commission said the elections had ended successfully and security teams had completed their assessment. Reports indicated that the restoration was gradual, with some restrictions on social media platforms remaining in place to maintain public order.

Uganda has previously imposed internet restrictions during elections, including during the 2021 polls. The government argues that such measures protect stability, while critics say they limit free expression and access to information.

UCC said the latest fake notice exploited public uncertainty after the elections. The commission reminded Ugandans that it only shares official updates through verified channels.