Odaily Planet News: As the Ugandan government cut off nationwide internet access during the presidential election, encrypted communication app Bitchat became one of the most downloaded apps in the country. Uganda's Communications Commission confirmed that the internet shutdown took effect at 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday and will continue throughout the election period.
According to the report, Bitchat uses Bluetooth Mesh networks to enable encrypted communication without the need for the internet. It is currently topping both the Apple App Store and Google Play download charts in Uganda. At the same time, several VPN apps also rank high in downloads, indicating a significant increase in local demand for information access ahead of the election.
The Ugandan government stated that the internet shutdown aims to prevent the spread of online misinformation during the election, but opponents argue that this move could restrict the flow of election-related information. The Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission previously stated that there would be no internet shutdown, but the measures were ultimately implemented. According to reports, as of early January, over 400,000 users in Uganda had downloaded Bitchat.
This is the third consecutive time Uganda has imposed a nationwide internet shutdown during a presidential election. Similar actions were taken during the 2016 and 2021 elections. The report also noted that Bitchat has been widely used in recent years in countries with restricted internet access or during sudden disasters, gradually becoming an alternative communication tool in internet blackout scenarios. (Cointelegraph)