Key Takeaways

• Developers of the decentralized app Bitchat claim the Ugandan government lacks the technical ability to shut down the service.

• Bitchat uses Bluetooth mesh networks to allow communication without an active internet connection or central servers.

• Over 400,000 Ugandans have downloaded the app ahead of next week’s election to avoid potential internet blackouts.

Uganda Targets Bitchat Ahead of National Elections

Uganda’s government is currently in a “tech war” with a messaging app called Bitchat, and things are getting heated. With elections around the corner, the UCC is threatening to flip the switch and kill the app, claiming they’ve got plenty of software engineers ready to make it “non-functional.” This move comes right after Bobi Wine told everyone to download it so they wouldn’t get cut off from the world during the usual election-day internet blackouts.

But the Bitchat devs—who are part of an open-source group backed by Jack Dorsey—are essentially saying, “Good luck with that.” One developer, Calle, posted that the app is “unstoppable” because it’s fully decentralized.

Think about it: Bitchat doesn’t need your phone number, your email, or even a central server to work. Because there’s no central “on/off” switch for the government to grab, the app is built to keep people talking even when the rest of the web goes dark.

Bluetooth Mesh Networking: Communication Without Internet

The primary reason Bitchat remains resistant to government interference is its reliance on Bluetooth mesh networking. This technology allows devices to communicate directly with one another, hopping from phone to phone to transmit messages across a local area. This means that even if the government pulls the plug on the national internet service provider, Ugandans with Bitchat installed can still coordinate and share information as long as they are within physical proximity of other users.

Bitchat’s resilience has already been proven in other regions. In 2025, the app saw massive surges in Nepal during social media bans and in Jamaica during the communication failures caused by Hurricane Melissa.

In Uganda, the app has already surpassed 400,000 downloads, reflecting a growing global trend of citizens turning to decentralized “off-grid” tools to bypass censorship. For the developers, the mission is simple: providing a “lifeline” for the people that requires no permission from the state to operate.

Final Thoughts

The standoff in Uganda is a definitive test for decentralized technology. If Bitchat remains active during a blackout, it will prove that “code is law” in the face of political censorship.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Bitchat work without internet?
It uses Bluetooth to send messages directly to nearby phones, creating a local “mesh” network independent of ISPs.

Is Bitchat safe to use?
Yes, Bitchat offers end-to-end encrypted communication and does not require personal data like phone numbers for registration.

Can a government block Bitchat?
Because it is decentralized and uses peer-to-peer Bluetooth, it is extremely difficult to block compared to internet-based apps.