Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine is urging citizens to download Bitchat, a decentralized messaging app, ahead of the 2026 presidential election. Wine fears the ruling party may cut internet services, as seen in previous elections under President Yoweri Museveni. Bitchat, developed by Jack Dorsey, allows encrypted communication without internet, using Bluetooth mesh networks. Wine's call to action has led to a surge in Google searches for "Bitchat" in Uganda, with related queries trending. The app has seen significant downloads, reflecting growing concerns over potential communication blackouts. Meanwhile, the Ugandan government has restricted imports of Starlink satellite internet equipment, citing national security reasons.