Internet Shutdown During Uganda Elections, Offline Messaging App Bitchat Tops Local App Download Charts

According to Odaily, as the Ugandan government cut off nationwide internet access during the presidential election, the encrypted messaging app Bitchat became one of the most downloaded apps locally. The Uganda Communications Commission confirmed that the internet shutdown took effect at 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday and will remain in place throughout the election period.

The report noted that Bitchat enables encrypted communication without internet access by relying on Bluetooth Mesh networks, and it has now topped the download charts for both the Apple App Store and Google Play in Uganda. At the same time, several VPN apps also ranked among the top downloads, indicating a significant increase in demand for information access among the local population 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 had previously stated that there would be no internet shutdown, but the measure was ultimately implemented. It was revealed that as of early January, more than 400,000 users in Uganda had downloaded Bitchat.

This is the third consecutive time that Uganda has implemented a nationwide internet shutdown during a presidential election. Similar measures were taken during the 2016 and 2021 elections. The report also mentioned that Bitchat has been widely used in recent years in countries with restricted internet access or during emergencies, gradually becoming an alternative communication tool in offline environments. (Cointelegraph)