Most downloaded Bitchat on Apple App Retailer in Uganda

Bitchat has turn into Uganda’s most downloaded app after state authorities confirmed that web entry was reduce and can stay inaccessible through the presidential election interval, which begins on Thursday.

The election marks the third yr in a row that Ugandan authorities have shut down entry to the web, which officers say is important to scale back the unfold of misinformation on-line.

However critics say shutting down the web might suppress election-related info and probably manipulate the outcomes.

The web shutdown got here into impact at 6pm native time on Tuesday, Nyombi Ssembo, govt director of the Uganda Communications Fee, mentioned in a press release on X.

Bitchat, an internet-free encrypted messaging app that makes use of Bluetooth mesh networking, is at present on the high of the worldwide app charts. apple app retailer and google Play in Uganda.

Different high functions embrace digital personal community apps, highlighting that entry to info stays considered one of Uganda’s most urgent wants as Thursday’s vote approaches.

Final week, Tembo said Web is not going to be disconnected.

“Why use bitch chat when you’ve gotten the web? The web is right here to remain, use the web,” he mentioned final week. He additionally claimed that the crew has the technical skill to disable bitch chat.

data Based on info shared by Calle on January 5, greater than 400,000 Ugandans have downloaded the app, and that quantity could now be a lot increased.

Uganda has now shut down web entry thrice

Throughout the 2016 election, Uganda’s longtime president Yoweri Museveni shut down entry to the web and social media nationwide, citing safety and security considerations.