Uganda has restored nationwide internet access following last week’s general elections but authorities have reportedly kept social media platforms and mobile money services offline, prolonging financial strain for millions of users.
- •According to the Ugandan media, citizens living in the eastern border district of Busia are crossing into neighboring Kenya to access cash due to the government-imposed restrictions.
- •With most mobile money agents shut, residents are transferring funds from Ugandan MTN and Airtel wallets to Kenyan mobile money platforms like M-Pesa and Airtel Money, withdrawing Kenyan shillings, and converting them back into Ugandan currency.
- •The workaround has eased cash shortages for households in boarder towns but deepened losses for Ugandan agents and small businesses, who depend on daily commissions from low-value transactions.
Telecom operators have indicated the restrictions remain in force under regulatory directives, with no clear timeline for full restoration.
