Daily Monitor Monday January 25 2021 In the wake of slowed Internet speed and a switch off of social media platforms, many Ugandans resorted to Virtual Private Networks (VPN) to continue public debate and political participation ahead of the voting day on January 14. The shutdown undermined Internet access and affordability, and weakened the potential of digital technologies to catalyse free expression and civic participation in the electoral processes. The 2021 General Election happened in a total Internet blackout that cut off the whole of Uganda from crucial information on the events that took place on voting day and post voting. It was without a doubt that the electoral process was hijacked and unfair to the participants and the citizenry as a collective.