{ "id": 58611, "date": "2026-01-07T09:21:56", "date_gmt": "2026-01-07T02:21:56", "guid": { "rendered": "https:\/\/hbbgroup.net\/bitchat-dev-shrugs-off-ugandas-threat-to-block-app-good-luck-mate\/" }, "modified": "2026-01-07T09:21:56", "modified_gmt": "2026-01-07T02:21:56", "slug": "bitchat-dev-shrugs-off-ugandas-threat-to-block-app-good-luck-mate", "status": "publish", "type": "post", "link": "https:\/\/hbbgroup.net\/en_us\/bitchat-dev-shrugs-off-ugandas-threat-to-block-app-good-luck-mate\/", "title": { "rendered": "Bitchat dev shrugs off Uganda\u2019s threat to block app: \u2018Good luck mate\u2019" }, "content": { "rendered": "
\n

One of the developers of Jack Dorsey\u2019s decentralized messaging app Bitchat has cast doubt on Uganda\u2019s threat to shut down the app ahead of the country\u2019s presidential election.<\/p>\n

On Monday, the Uganda Communications Commission executive director, Nyombi Thembo, said<\/a> his team has the technical know-how to turn off Bitchat.<\/p>\n

Bitchat leverages Bluetooth mesh networks, enabling encrypted communication without the need for an internet connection.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It saw a huge rise in downloads last week after opposition leader Bobi Wine encouraged locals to install the app<\/a> in case the government shuts down the internet, which they have done in previous elections. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe know how it can be made not to work,\u201d Thembo said<\/a> while claiming that he works with the highest concentration of software developers and engineers in the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be excited by Bitchat, it\u2019s a small thing.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Data<\/a> shared by Calle on Monday showed that over 400,000 Ugandans have already downloaded the app.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t stop Bitchat. You can\u2019t stop us,\u201d Calle said<\/a> in a post on X, while urging more Ugandan developers to contribute to open-source projects.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don’t need anyone’s permission to write code. Free and open source. Unstoppable. From the people for the people.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Source: <\/em>Calle<\/em><\/a>
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Uganda has cut the internet in past elections<\/h2>\n

During the 2016 election, long-time Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni imposed a nationwide block on internet and social media access, citing security and safety concerns.<\/p>\n

Related: <\/strong><\/em>Iran\u2019s currency collapse shows why Bitcoin is seen as an exit option<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

A similar situation also unfolded in 2021, when a four-day internet blackout started on election night.<\/p>\n

Bitchat could be useful for Ugandans in the event of another internet blackout, as it is fully decentralized<\/a> with no central servers, accounts, email addresses or phone numbers to register, and no infrastructure dependencies.<\/p>\n

Bitchat is being downloaded all over the world<\/h2>\n

In September, nearly 50,000 Nepalese users<\/a> turned to the app to sidestep a brief social media ban as corruption protests unfolded, while Madagascar saw a similar surge <\/a>in downloads for similar reasons about three weeks later.<\/p>\n