Nyombi Thembo said he has not received any directive to that effect, adding however that as soon as he receives such a directive, he will dutifully inform Ugandans accordingly.
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The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Amina Zawedde has watered down as baseless, unfounded and misleading, rumours doing the rounds that government has ordered the internet to be switched off with effect from January 8, 2026.
Addressing a media conference on 5th January 2026 at the Uganda Media Centre, PS Zawedde categorically denied the rumours, saying that no such directive has been issued by the Uganda Communications Commission as claimed by the rumour sources.
Zawedde’s statement which was backed by UCC boss, Nyombi Thembo, about the alleged switch off comes at the heels of rumours warning Ugandans that the internet is to be switched off ahead of the elections kicking off on January 15, starting with the presidential and parliamentary elections.
Nyombi Thembo said he has not received any directive to that effect, adding however that as soon as he receives such a directive, he will dutifully inform Ugandans accordingly.
In the same vein, the Electoral Commission has communicated to police with a prayer to investigate individuals behind the website www.registry.ugtally.com operated by a group identified as Fanon, which can be used to access particulars about polling stations, voters at the polling stations, their age and other information.
The EC Chairman in a statement, clarified that only the commission is the only legally accepted source to divulge information pertaining to voters and their particulars. However, through social media outlets, owners of this site claim they set it up to help Ugandans as the EC had taken long to release information educating voters about their polling stations and other issues.
Byabakama stressed that whoever wants to engage in such business can only do so after seeking and getting clearance and approval from the EC. Other information indicates that Fanon is based in Ashburn, Viginia, in the United States, and security authorities think that there are sinister and dangerous intentions in the development.