Uganda: Viral 'UCC Shutdown' Notice Is Fake, Commission Confirms

3 January 2026
Nile Post (Kampala)
By Dismiss Fact Check

A notice circulating on social media claiming to be a Public Notice from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) announcing the suspension of internet services, mobile money, and banking operations ahead of the 2026 elections is fake. The document claims that UCC has ordered a shutdown of internet, mobile money, and banking services ahead of the 2026 elections.

Verdict: FALSE

The Uganda Communications Commission has formally disowned the document, warning the public against being misled. In an official advisory, UCC stated that the circulating notice was not issued by the Commission and urged the public to rely only on its verified communication channels for accurate information.

Beyond the official denial, multiple inconsistencies confirm that the document is fabricated.

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First, UCC has no legal mandate over banking services. The Commission regulates telecommunications, broadcasting, and postal services under the Uganda Communications Act. It does not supervise commercial banks or financial transactions. Any directive instructing citizens to withdraw money from banks would fall under the authority of the Bank of Uganda, not UCC.

Second, the claim of a nationwide mobile money shutdown is false. Mobile money services are regulated under the National Payment Systems framework, with oversight by the Bank of Uganda in collaboration with telecom operators. No directive has been issued by the central bank or licensed service providers announcing such a suspension.

Third, the notice misrepresents UCC's powers by selectively citing the law while stretching it beyond its scope. The Uganda Communications Act does not authorise blanket, week-long internet shutdowns without formal legal instruments and public gazettement.

Finally, the language and format of the notice are inconsistent with official UCC communication, and the document does not appear on the Commission's website, verified social media platforms, or in credible media reports.

Conclusion

The circulating notice is false and misleading. There is no UCC directive ordering bank withdrawals, mobile money shutdowns, or an internet blackout ahead of the 2026 elections. The public is advised to ignore the fake notice and consult official UCC channels for verified updates.

Read the original article on Nile Post.

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