Bitchat Surges in Uganda as Internet Shutdown Fears Grow

Kampala | January 17, 2026 — As internet shutdowns become a standard tool of political control across Africa, a new Bluetooth-based messaging app created by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey is rapidly gaining traction — with Uganda emerging as one of its most active user hubs.

The app, known as Bitchat, has surged in popularity as citizens brace for possible digital restrictions ahead of Uganda’s 2026 elections. The country has a long history of blocking social media, throttling internet services, and restricting communication during political moments, making alternative platforms increasingly vital for free expression.

A Surge Driven by Fear of Election Shutdown

Downloads of Bitchat have climbed dramatically in Uganda, surpassing 28,000 installations in just a few months. The spike followed public remarks from opposition figure Bobi Wine, who urged citizens to prepare for “communication blackouts” as polling day approaches.

Uganda’s government cut access to social media during the 2021 election and has repeatedly imposed restrictions on platforms such as X, Facebook, and WhatsApp. With tensions rising ahead of 2026, many expect similar tactics to return — prompting widespread adoption of offline communication tools like Bitchat.

How Bitchat Works — And Why It Matters

Launched in July 2025, Bitchat is designed specifically for environments where internet access is restricted or monitored. The app operates without mobile data or Wi-Fi, relying instead on Bluetooth mesh networking that allows messages to “hop” between nearby devices until reaching their destination.

Its key characteristics include:

• No login requirement, enabling anonymous use

• Decentralized communication makes shutdowns ineffective

• Peer-to-peer message transfer, bypassing government-controlled networks

• High utility during protests or crisis situations

This technology effectively removes the state’s ability to isolate communities by cutting connectivity, a tactic increasingly used across Africa and the Middle East.

A Global Trend: Offline Tech as a Tool of Resistance

Uganda is not alone in its adoption of Bitchat. The app has also spread rapidly in Iran, where activists used it to coordinate during large-scale anti-regime protests amid nationwide internet blackouts. Similar spikes have been recorded in regions where governments routinely suppress digital freedoms.

According to Access Now’s 2024 #KeepItOn report, 296 internet shutdowns were recorded across 54 countries, up dramatically from 78 in 2016. Many of these shutdowns coincided with elections, protests, or security operations, reflecting a growing global pattern of digital authoritarianism.

Shutdowns increasingly target:

• Specific communication apps

• Entire mobile networks

• Geographical regions are seen as politically sensitive

This has created new demand for offline-based communication tools capable of withstanding state interference.

Why Uganda Is the Perfect Test Case

With high political tension, a tech-savvy youth population, and a history of digital restrictions, Uganda has become a key testing ground for the future of offline communication technology.

For civil society groups, journalists, and political organizers, Bitchat offers:

• A secure channel when the internet goes down

• A means of mobilization during protests

• A lifeline for reporting abuses during blackouts

• Protection from mass surveillance linked to mobile networks

The app’s rapid spread underscores a deeper shift: citizens are finding ways to adapt faster than governments can restrict them.

A Warning to Governments: Shutdowns No Longer Guarantee Silence

In Iran, a protest sign read: “They cut the net to cut lives.” The phrase has since become symbolic of how internet shutdowns are used to obscure violence and silence communities.

But tools like Bitchat are challenging that logic. By removing dependence on centralized infrastructure, Bluetooth-based communication networks signal a new chapter in digital resistance.

For Uganda, where the 2026 election cycle is already defined by fear of political repression, the rise of Bitchat highlights a population unwilling to be digitally silenced again.