Two Ugandan lawyers have taken the government and major telecom companies to court over the internet shutdown that happened during the recent election period, saying the move unfairly disrupted daily life across the country.
Advocates Michael Aboneka and Raymond Amumpaire have filed a case in the High Court against the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), MTN Uganda, Airtel Uganda, and Lyca Mobile, challenging the decision to switch off internet services during and around polling days.
According to the lawyers, the shutdown affected far more than politics. They say millions of Ugandans were suddenly cut off from communication, online businesses were disrupted, mobile money services stalled, and journalists struggled to do their work at a critical time.
In their court filings, the advocates argue that the internet blackout was imposed without a clear legal explanation and without proper public communication. They claim no official legal instrument was shared to justify the move.
The lawyers also accuse UCC, as the communications regulator, of failing to protect consumers’ rights by allowing or directing the shutdown without ensuring it followed the law.
Telecom companies MTN and Airtel are accused of implementing the shutdown despite questions over whether the directive was lawful. The applicants argue that even when companies receive instructions, they still have a responsibility to respect the rights of their customers.
The advocates are asking court to declare the shutdown illegal and to stop similar internet restrictions from happening in the future without proper legal procedures. They are also seeking compensation for the costs of the case.
Internet shutdowns have become a familiar part of Uganda’s election seasons, often affecting access to social media platforms. However, this case could set an important precedent by forcing authorities to clearly explain when and why internet access can be restricted.
So far, none of the respondents has responded to the lawsuit. The case has been registered in the High Court and is awaiting further direction.
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