Uganda’s communications authority ordered the nationwide shutdown to “ensure peace, protect national stability and prevent the misuse of communication platforms during a sensitive national exercise”.
Th opposition said it was a move to cover up voter fraud and stop its agents from sharing the results from polling stations.
Either way, it brought many aspects of modern life to a halt.
Online businesses that rely on mobile money transactions were most affected by the blackout, with some coming to a standstill while others reverted to cash-based transactions.
Kampala is famous for its ubiquitous boda boda (motorcycle) taxis, with many operators earning their income through online ride-hailing apps.
The co-founder of SafeBoda told local media that the platform’s entire server was down during the internet suspension, with many riders forced off the road and other businesses that depend on the service deprived of their income.
Namukwaya Olivia, who sells traditional cultural clothing and depends heavily on Instagram, TikTok and WhatsApp to reach customers, says she did not make any deliveries during the period, according to BBC , that quoted it saying that many of her customers ask for pictures before deciding on what to buy.
We could not send pictures, we could not receive orders, and we could not make deliveries,” the businesswoman adds.
She notes that the effect of the shutdown was immediate, and made it difficult to cover basic costs.
“We couldn’t pay rent during that period,” she says. “Even now, things have not fully recovered because customers still struggle to access us online.”
Journalist Ngabo Amon says his smartphone, a work tool for him, became largely useless.
“You have a phone, but there is nothing to do with it,” he tells the BBC.
He could no longer research stories, follow election developments or send material to his newsroom.
He says everyday life transformed into anxious stretches of waiting for the internet to be restored.
Some households reverted to watching television to keep themselves occupied, either watching live, or buying downloaded old movies from shops.
“People bought what they could afford, went back home and just watched, because there were no other options,” Ngabo says, to BBC.
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