The government of Uganda has blocked social media platforms ahead of Thursday’s presidential election in which Bobi Wine, real name Robert Kyagulanyi, intends to challenge the incumbent president, Yoweri Museveni, 76, who aims to extend his rule to at least 40 years. The letter from the commission’s executive director, Irene Kaggwa Sewankambo, to internet providers reads:
In exercise of its functions under section 5(1) of the Uganda Communications Act of 2013, Uganda Communications Commission hereby directs you to immediately suspend any access and use, direct or otherwise, of all social media platforms and online messaging applications over your network until further notice.
