Telecom giants MTN and Airtel have reportedly lost an estimated US $7 million in revenue following the recent restoration of social media access in Uganda after weeks of restrictions tied to the country’s general elections. The losses stem from a prolonged period during which internet services — particularly access to social media platforms — were limited or shut down by authorities ahead of and immediately after the vote, disrupting data usage and digital services that generate income for mobile network operators.
The internet restrictions were initially imposed by the Uganda Communications Commission days before the January 15 election, with authorities citing concerns about misinformation and national security. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, later announced that full access to social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook, X and TikTok, had been restored, bringing relief to millions of users who rely on these services for communication and business.
The shutdown not only affected social media usage but also hindered everyday online activities such as mobile money transactions, digital commerce and access to information, highlighting how temporary restrictions can have wide economic repercussions beyond political goals. While internet services are now back to normal, the financial impact on operators underscores the broader cost of connectivity interruptions in a digital‑dependent economy.