President Yoweri Museveni’s controversial move to shut down the internet due to the election has resulted in cargo handlers in Kenya making a bold move.
In a sharp regional backlash, cargo handlers at Kenya’s Mombasa Port have suspended the clearing and transportation of goods destined for Uganda.
The dramatic move came on January 14, 2026, just one day before Uganda’s hotly contested presidential election.
The reason? Uganda’s nationwide internet blackout, ordered by the Uganda Communications Commission starting January 13 evening.
Authorities claim the shutdown aims to curb misinformation, electoral fraud, and potential violence ahead of Thursday’s vote, where 81-year-old President Yoweri Museveni seeks a seventh term against challengers including opposition star Bobi Wine.
But the blackout has crippled communications critical for cross-border logistics. Clearing agents and truck drivers rely on online systems, emails, and mobile data to coordinate shipments, track documents, and update clients.
With no internet, operations ground to a halt, leaving goods stranded and supply chains disrupted.
Mombasa handles the vast majority of Uganda’s imports, making the port suspension a direct economic hit.
This tit-for-tat response from Kenyan handlers sends a clear message: digital repression doesn’t stay contained—it spills over borders and bites back through trade.
Museveni’s internet gambit has already cost him regional goodwill and exposed the high price of controlling information in an interconnected East Africa.
By Creatorhub