Rubirizi Reels from MTN Mast Lightning Strike, Faces Communications Blackout

Residents of Rubirizi Town Council are urging MTN Uganda to restore internet services, which have been down since the evening of Sunday, October 20. The outage, which began around 7:30 p.m., has left many disconnected, affecting access to essential online services and creating widespread frustration.

The prolonged outage has disrupted daily routines for residents across the district. Lonet Ayebare, a banker at Bunyaruguru Development SACCO, noted the impact on her work. "The internet stopped working around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, and the problem has persisted ever since. This has made it extremely difficult for me to communicate with clients and access online banking services, which are critical for my job," she explained.

Local businesses are also feeling the effects. Edwin Anyijukire, a small business owner, expressed the strain it has placed on her operations. "My business relies on MTN internet to run mobile money services and connect with suppliers. Since Sunday, I haven't been able to make any transactions online, which has cost me money every day. We need the internet back as soon as possible," she said.

In rural areas like Rubirizi, where access to physical banking and other essential services is limited, reliable internet has become a necessity. Residents have highlighted its role in communication, education, and business transactions. Adriano Kamugisha, who runs an internet café, emphasized the growing reliance on connectivity. "Internet access isn't a luxury anymore. We use it for teaching, downloading study materials, and staying informed. Without it, students and teachers are completely cut off from important resources," he said.

A visit by the Nile Post to Ndekye Town confirmed the disruption, with phones unable to connect to MTN services, although other internet service providers seem to be working normally. As the outage drags on, residents are calling for an update from MTN Uganda, demanding immediate action to resolve the issue. The lack of internet access continues to disrupt daily life in Rubirizi, where residents hope for a quick resolution to restore the connectivity on which they now heavily depend.

MTN Uganda has yet to release an official statement explaining the cause of the internet outage or providing any indication of when services might be restored. Despite the ongoing disruption, residents of Rubirizi Town Council remain optimistic that connectivity will return soon. Many have expressed their frustration, while also acknowledging just how crucial reliable internet access has become in their daily lives.

For many in Rubirizi, especially in rural areas, the internet is no longer just a convenience but a necessity. It is vital for conducting business, accessing education, and staying in touch with friends and family. In particular, local businesses that rely heavily on digital transactions, such as mobile money services, have been severely impacted by the outage, leading to lost income and halted operations. Entrepreneurs who depend on the internet to communicate with suppliers and customers have expressed growing concern as the situation drags on.

The absence of internet has also had a significant impact on educational institutions and students in the area. With schools increasingly relying on online resources, the lack of connectivity has made it difficult for both teachers and students to continue with their lessons. Many educators use the internet to download study materials, access digital teaching tools, and stay up-to-date with academic content. Without internet access, the educational progress of students has been stunted, leaving many cut off from important learning opportunities.

The disruption has affected various sectors, with healthcare providers also facing challenges. Internet-based services, such as telemedicine and online consultations, have become increasingly important, particularly in areas where access to healthcare facilities is limited. The outage has made it harder for residents to access critical health services, adding to their concerns.

Despite the widespread frustration, the people of Rubirizi remain hopeful that MTN Uganda will soon resolve the issue. The prolonged outage has underscored the growing reliance on internet services for nearly every aspect of modern life, from banking and business to education and healthcare. As the community waits for an update from MTN, the residents of Rubirizi are united in their call for a swift restoration of services, recognizing how deeply internet connectivity has become intertwined with their livelihoods and well-being.