This combination of pictures created on January 11, 2021 shows Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni (left) waiting to welcome President of Democratic Republic of Congo Felix Tshisekedi prior to his arrival at the state house in Entebbe, Uganda, on November 9, 2019, and Ugandan musician-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi (right), also known as Bobi Wine, in Kayunga, Uganda on December 1, 2020.  (SUMY SADURNI / AFP)

KAMPALA - Uganda banned social media on Tuesday, two days ahead of a presidential election pitting Yoweri Museveni, one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, against opposition frontrunner Bobi Wine, a popular singer.

In a letter seen by Reuters to internet service providers dated Jan 12, Uganda’s communications regulator ordered them to block all social media platforms and messaging apps until further notice

In a letter seen by Reuters to internet service providers dated Jan 12, Uganda’s communications regulator ordered them to block all social media platforms and messaging apps until further notice.

Internet monitor NetBlocks said its data showed that Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, Skype, Snapchat, Viber and Google Play Store were among a lengthy list of sites unavailable via Uganda’s main cell network operators.

Campaigning ahead of the vote has been marred by crackdowns on opposition rallies, which the authorities say break COVID-19 curbs on large gatherings. 

ALSO READ: At least 37 killed in Uganda protests after Wine's arrest

At 38, Wine is half the age of President Yoweri Museveni and has attracted a large following among young people in a nation where 80 percent of the population are under 30.

Wine is considered the frontrunner among 10 candidates challenging Museveni, the former guerrilla leader who seized power in 1986 and brought stability to a country after the murderous reigns of dictators Milton Obote and Idi Amin.

 In November, 54 people were killed as soldiers and police quelled protests after Wine was detained.

On Tuesday, Wine said soldiers raided his home in Kampala and arrested his guards while he was giving an interview to a Kenyan radio station. He also said a team member who works mainly as a mechanic was shot dead by the military overnight.

Reuters was not immediately able to verify the claims and a military spokesmen did not respond to a call seeking comment.

ALSO READ: 'Grandfather' vs young Wine: Ugandan elections set for Jan 14

Patrick Onyango, police spokesman for the capital Kampala, denied Wine’s home had been raided or that anyone was arrested, saying: “We were just rearranging our security posture in the area near his home, specifically removing some checkpoints.”

A source in Uganda’s telecom sector said the government had made clear to executives at telecoms companies that the social media ban was in retaliation for Facebook blocking some pro-government accounts.

Neither Ibrahim Bbossa, Uganda Communications Commission spokesman nor government spokesman Ofwono Opondo answered calls requesting comment. An aide to Minister of Information Judith Nabakooba said she was unable to comment at the moment.

The US social media giant said on Monday it had taken down a network in Uganda linked to the country’s ministry of information for using fake and duplicate accounts to post ahead of this week’s election.

ALSO READ: Uganda beefs up security in capital, major towns after violent protests

A Facebook spokeswoman said the company had no comment on reports users were facing difficulties accessing the platform.

“Any efforts to block online access to journalists or members of the public are unacceptable breaches of the right to information,” the International Press Institute, a global media watchdog, said in a statement.

Wine has been using Facebook to relay live coverage of his campaigns and news conferences after he said many media outlets had declined to host him. 

Uganda is a Western ally, a prospective oil producer and is considered a stabilizing force in a region where war has plagued some neighbors. It also contributes the biggest contingent of an African Union force fighting Islamist insurgents in Somalia.

READ MORE: Uganda struggles to regain grip in fight against COVID-19

The European Union is not deploying election observers as advice from previous observers about how to make the polls fair went unheeded, the bloc’s ambassador to Uganda has said. The African Union will deploy observers.

At a news conference on Tuesday, Wine and two other opposition candidates - Patrick Amuriat and Mugisha Muntu - urged Ugandans to turn out and “protect their vote” by staying at polling stations to observe counting.