Uganda’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is demanding answers from the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance regarding the authorization and legality of the internet shutdown imposed during and after the country’s recent general elections. The committee’s scrutiny intensified during a session on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, where legislators pressed ministry officials for documentation detailing the decision-making process.
Vice Chairperson of the PAC, Gorreth Namugga, emphasized the committee’s responsibility to investigate public concerns regarding government actions. She stated that the widespread complaints about the internet blackout and disruptions to mobile money services justified parliamentary intervention. “We want a clear update on the platform and its benefits to the country,” Namugga said, referring to the broader implications of digital access during critical national events.
Lawmakers focused on inconsistencies in the testimony of Aminah Zawedde, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance. Zawedde initially claimed she learned of the shutdown only minutes before it occurred. However, she later acknowledged the issuance of a public notice by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) warning of the impending disruption. This discrepancy prompted criticism from committee members, who questioned the transparency of the decision-making process.
Asuman Basalirwa, Member of Parliament for Bugiri Municipality, warned that repeated internet shutdowns during elections could develop into normalized without clear accountability. He demanded the ministry present a letter purportedly issued by the National Security Council authorizing the shutdown, asserting that Parliament must verify the directive originated from the legally mandated body. “Parliament must verify that the directive originated from the legally mandated body rather than from individual officials acting beyond their authority,” Basalirwa stated.
Geoffrey Agoi, Commissioner for ICT Infrastructure Development at the ministry, told the committee that disruptions to mobile money services were not intentional. He attributed the interruptions to technical complications experienced by telecom operators following the internet shutdown. Agoi suggested the committee direct detailed questions regarding the shutdown to Nyombi Thembo, the Executive Director of the UCC, the agency responsible for regulating Uganda’s telecommunications sector.
Despite Agoi’s suggestion, PAC members maintained that the Ministry of ICT must first provide Parliament with copies of the official directive instructing telecom companies to disable internet services. The committee’s demand for documentation underscores a growing effort to establish a clear accountability framework for decisions impacting digital access during electoral periods. The PAC, formed in 1995, is a permanent accountability committee of the Parliament of Uganda, responsible for scrutinizing audited accounts of public spending and ensuring the legality and effectiveness of public funds usage, as outlined in the Constitution of Uganda (1995) and the Public Finance Management Act (2015).
Lawmakers argue that transparency regarding the authorization of such directives is crucial to maintaining public trust in both electoral processes and digital governance. As of Wednesday, March 11, 2026, the Ministry of ICT has not publicly released the requested documentation, and the committee has scheduled a follow-up meeting with ministry officials and the UCC to continue its inquiry.
