Bobi Wine Advocates for Bitchat Amid Fears of Internet Blackout

Bobi Wine Encourages Downloading Bitchat

The opposition leader in Uganda, Bobi Wine, is urging his supporters to download the decentralized messaging service Bitchat amid concerns that the ruling party will attempt to disrupt communications ahead of the 2026 elections. During the 2016 elections, incumbent President Yoweri Museveni blocked access to the internet and social media, citing security reasons. Bobi Wine claims that a similar action is being planned for the elections in January 2026.

"They shut down the internet to block communications and ensure that citizens cannot organize, verify election results, and hold accountable for widespread vote theft," Wine stated on a social media platform.

The Pan-African Network of Human Rights Defenders asserts that these blackouts primarily affect political opposition, which relies on social media for campaign organization. The Ugandan government has claimed that such measures are necessary for national security and maintaining public order during elections.

Bitchat, launched in beta in July by Jack Dorsey, allows encrypted communication without the internet, utilizing Bluetooth mesh networks. Bobi Wine stated that the app will facilitate rapid communication and the distribution of essential information during the elections.

Moreover, downloads of Bitchat have skyrocketed, with over 936,000 downloads since its release. Interest in the app has also surged in other African countries amid ongoing protests.