Uganda’s election internet blackout hits online betting operators and digital livelihoods

Uganda’s nationwide internet shutdown during the 15 January general elections froze mobile betting, casino platforms and payment flows for several days, exposing how dependent the country’s iGaming sector has become on uninterrupted connectivity.

Uganda’s latest general election has left a deep mark on the country’s digital economy after authorities ordered a blanket internet shutdown ahead of the 15 January 2026 vote. The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) instructed providers to suspend public internet access and some mobile services starting on 13 January, with full connectivity only restored several days later.

The blackout cut off millions of Ugandans from online services, disrupting remote work, e-commerce, entertainment and social media. For the iGaming ecosystem – a sector built almost entirely on mobile and data access – the shutdown translated into silent betting shops, stalled online casino platforms and idle digital wallets. With sports betting and casino sites forced offline, users were unable to place wagers or cash out winnings, while operators saw transaction volumes fall to near zero for the duration of the restrictions.

Regulators had already highlighted how rapidly Uganda’s online casino and betting market has grown in recent years, driven by smartphones, mobile money and a young, digitally active population. The shutdown underscored that same dependence: betting shops and gaming cafés reported sudden revenue losses, and payment and fintech partners in the space saw sharp, temporary drops in traffic as data services went dark.

Government officials defended the move as necessary to “ensure peace and protect national stability” during a sensitive vote, arguing that restrictions would curb misinformation and illegal mobilisation online. However, human rights groups have condemned the blanket shutdown as a violation of fundamental rights and a measure that undermined election transparency. International watchdogs also warned that repeated election-period blackouts risk damaging investor confidence in Uganda’s digital and tech sectors, including licensed gaming.

While general internet access has since been restored, social media and messaging apps remained restricted for days after the polls, forcing users – including gamblers and affiliates – to rely on VPNs to access platforms, and limiting marketing and engagement campaigns for operators targeting local players. As platforms gradually come back online, Uganda’s iGaming industry is taking stock of the financial hit and reassessing its resilience to political and regulatory shocks that can, quite literally, switch off the market overnight.