Mobile money agent Mirembe Tracy laments that her business in Uganda's bustling capital Kampala was paralyzed when the government shut the internet during last week's fiercely contested general election.
All withdrawals were disconnected, she tells the BBC, adding that she gets nearly all of her income from withdrawal commissions. Without it, her income dropped to zero.
In one week I can earn up to 450,000 [Ugandan] shillings (£96; $130). That money is what I use to pay rent. Losing it was a total loss, she says.
For two days either side of the election, there was nothing she could do but stay at home - she could only sell prepaid airtime credit, which she says does not give a commission.
Uganda's communications authority ordered the nationwide shutdown to ensure peace, protect national stability and prevent the misuse of communication platforms during a sensitive national exercise. The opposition said it was a move to cover up voter fraud and stop its agents from sharing the results from polling stations.
Either way, it brought many aspects of modern life to a halt.
Online businesses that relied on mobile money transactions were most affected by the blackout, coming to a standstill or reverting to cash-based transactions. Kampala is famous for its ubiquitous boda boda (motorcycle) taxis, and many operators earn their income through online ride-hailing apps.
The co-founder of SafeBoda explained that the platform's entire server was down during the internet suspension, forcing many riders off the road and depriving associated businesses of income.
Namukwaya Olivia, who sells traditional cultural clothing primarily through Instagram and TikTok, reported screeching halts in her deliveries. We could not send pictures, we could not receive orders, and we could not make deliveries, she says.
Even journalists found their work disrupted; Ngabo Amon described his smartphone as largely useless, with no opportunity to research stories, follow election developments, or send material to his newsroom. You have a phone, but there is nothing to do with it, he said.
The youth faced significant strains as well. Ronnie Mwesigwa, a 20-year-old gamer, echoed this sentiment, stating he lost contact with friends and had no access to online entertainment.
This internet shutdown serves as a stark reminder of how deeply digital access shapes everyday life in Uganda, affecting livelihoods and connections.
