Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and First Son, has announced the full restoration of social media platforms, marking the end of the government-imposed internet restrictions that followed the 2026 general elections.

Making the announcement on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday morning, Gen. Muhoozi thanked Ugandans for their cooperation during the electoral period. “We are releasing all social media today. I thank all the great people of Uganda for their support and co-operation throughout this electoral season. You are truly the greatest people on earth and you give us all the courage to serve. Godbless you all," he said.

The restrictions were first introduced following a government directive on January 13, which required telecom companies and internet service providers to limit public internet access and certain mobile services ahead of the January 14 general elections. Authorities cited national security concerns as the main reason for the shutdown.

Although the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) restored general internet access on January 18, social media platforms and over-the-top (OTT) services remained restricted until today.

The internet blackout drew criticism from some community members, who argued that it disrupted communication and daily activities. Government officials defended the restrictions, stating they were necessary to prevent misinformation, incitement, and violence during a sensitive political period.

With social media now fully accessible, Uganda’s digital space has returned to normal, allowing citizens, businesses, media outlets, and political actors to resume everyday online activity.

Gen. Muhoozi’s message also carried a conciliatory tone, praising Ugandans for their patience and framing the reopening as a return to normalcy after a demanding electoral season.