Internet shutdown sparks surge in offline messaging app downloads
Uganda’s presidential election has triggered a familiar pattern: authorities cutting internet access, and citizens turning to alternative communication tools. This time, Bitchat has emerged as the clear winner in the app stores.
The shutdown began Tuesday evening, according to Uganda Communications Commission executive director Nyombi Thembo. He confirmed the internet would remain off during the voting period starting Thursday. This marks the third consecutive election where Ugandan officials have taken this step, claiming it prevents misinformation spread.
But here’s the interesting part. Just last week, Thembo told people not to bother with Bitchat. “Why would you use Bitchat when there is internet, internet will be there, use internet,” he said. He even claimed his team could technically disable the app if needed. That promise clearly didn’t hold up.
App store rankings tell the story
Right now, Bitchat sits at number one on both Apple’s App Store and Google Play in Uganda. The app uses Bluetooth mesh networks to create local communication channels without internet access. It’s encrypted too, which adds another layer of appeal for users concerned about surveillance.
What’s perhaps more telling is what else is trending. Virtual Private Network apps are also climbing the charts, suggesting people are desperately seeking ways around the blackout. Information access seems to be the most urgent need as voting day approaches.
Data from early January showed over 400,000 Ugandans had already downloaded Bitchat. That number has likely skyrocketed since the shutdown began. I think we’re seeing a clear pattern here—when governments restrict communication, people find workarounds.
A recurring election strategy
This isn’t Uganda’s first internet shutdown during elections. Back in 2016, President Yoweri Museveni blocked internet and social media nationwide, citing security concerns. The same thing happened in 2021 with a four-day blackout starting on election night.
Critics argue these shutdowns do more than just combat misinformation. They suppress legitimate election-related information and could potentially manipulate outcomes by limiting transparency. It’s a debate that keeps repeating itself every election cycle.
Global adoption beyond Uganda
What’s fascinating about Bitchat is its growing international use. The app has become a tool for people in various situations where internet access fails—whether due to government interference or natural disasters.
In September, nearly 50,000 Nepalese users turned to the app during corruption protests when social media faced temporary bans. A similar situation unfolded in Madagascar about three weeks later.
Then in November, Jamaicans flocked to Bitchat when Hurricane Melissa struck with 185-mile-per-hour winds, knocking out regular communication channels. The app’s Bluetooth-based system allowed people to coordinate and share information even when traditional networks failed.
It makes you wonder about the broader implications. As internet shutdowns become more common during political events, tools like Bitchat might become standard downloads for citizens in many countries. They’re not just apps anymore—they’re potential lifelines during crises.
The pattern seems clear: restrict access, and people will innovate around those restrictions. Maybe that’s the lesson here, more than anything else about specific elections or governments.
