What's blocked in Uganda
Facebook has been blocked since January 2021, and the internet was shut down around the January 2026 election.
- WhatsApp: Works
- Voice & video calls: Works
- Telegram: Works
- Signal: Works
- Discord: Works
- Facebook: Blocked
- Instagram: Works
- X (Twitter): Works
- TikTok: Works
- YouTube: Works
- Google: Works
- Works
- Age-gated
- Partly blocked
- Slowed down
- Blocked
App by app
| App | Status | Since | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Messenger | Blocked | Jan 2021 | Follows the Facebook block. |
| Blocked | Jan 2021 |
Not offered in Uganda
These companies don't sell their service here. That's a business or sanctions decision, not government censorship.
Working normally
Social media
Video, TV & music
Games
The 3 VPNs that fit Uganda
Our assessment, plus what visitors in Uganda are reporting this week.
Picked for heavy censorship: each can disguise VPN traffic.
ExpressVPN
ConnectsNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
NordVPN
ConnectsNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
Proton VPN
ConnectsNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
Not sure about these three? See 3 more VPNs Surfshark, Private Internet Access and CyberGhost
Surfshark
ConnectsNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
Private Internet Access
ConnectsNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
CyberGhost
ConnectsNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
We earn a commission if you buy a VPN through our links. It never changes what we report as blocked. How we pick and how we make money
What's going on
Uganda blocked Facebook ahead of its 2021 election and never lifted it. The government cut the internet nationwide two days before the January 2026 vote; other social media returned afterwards while Facebook stayed blocked.
Before you connect: Any of the three restores Facebook in Uganda.
Is a VPN legal in Uganda?
Legal
VPN use is legal and is how most Ugandans still reach Facebook.
This is general information, not legal advice.
Questions people ask
Which apps are blocked in Uganda?
Yes. Messenger and Facebook are blocked in Uganda.
Which streaming and online services are not available in Uganda?
Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and JioHotstar are not offered in Uganda. That is the companies' decision, often because of licensing or sanctions.
Is it legal to use a VPN in Uganda?
Legal. VPN use is legal and is how most Ugandans still reach Facebook.
Which VPN works in Uganda?
Our picks for Uganda are ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Proton VPN. Check the live votes on this page for this week's results.
Will a VPN work during an internet shutdown in Uganda?
No. A VPN can get around blocks on specific apps and sites, but during a full shutdown there is no connection to the outside world for the VPN to use.
Report a block
Seeing something different in Uganda? An editor reviews every report before the page changes.