UGANDA – The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) announced on Monday that it had fully restored internet access, after a temporary shutdown implementation before the Jan. 15 general elections.

The UCC said in a statement that all online services are now fully operational nationwide, with all restrictions lifted following the completion of “necessary technical and security assessments.”

It praised “the patience, cooperation and understanding shown during the period of limited internet access.”

UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo said the measure was necessary to mitigate threats to national security during the election.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni was re-elected for a seventh term after winning the presidential election with 71.65% of the vote, while his main challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, received 24.72%.

Museveni, who is now 81 years old and has been in power for four decades, is Africa’s fourth-longest-serving ruler.

He extended his term in office by eliminating previously established term limits in 2005 and 2017.