The Ugandan government announced it will not compensate individuals or companies that suffered losses during the internet shutdown imposed around the January 15 election.

Speaking on Monday, January 26, Uganda's Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi, said national security outweighs economic losses.

"We are not compensating anybody who made losses. We understand the implications of the shutdown, but we must weigh them against security concerns," Baryomunsi said. "Imagine if the entire country burned because of misinformation and disinformation. Even businesses would not thrive. Whatever was lost should be taken as a sacrifice."

On the same day, the Uganda Communications Commission announced that internet services had been fully restored nationwide.

According to an election observation mission by the African Union, working in conjunction with two regional blocs, the shutdown - implemented two days before the vote - restricted the flow of information, hindered freedom of association, and disrupted economic activity.

"The shutdown further hampered effective observation and created suspicion and mistrust in the electoral process," the blocs said.