According to Freedom House, internet freedom in Uganda is expected to deteriorate significantly by 2021. Notably, numerous social media sites have been restricted, and some individuals who have criticized the government online have been detained. This is why using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) in Uganda is critical. This allows you to circumvent content restrictions safely and anonymously.
VPN software establishes an encrypted tunnel via which all internet traffic between your device and the internet is routed through an intermediate server. This tricks hosting websites and applications into believing you’re accessing the web from a place other than your current city or town. It’s almost hard for hackers or government organizations to eavesdrop on your internet behavior in this circumstance.
Best VPN for Uganda
Not all VPNs are created equal—so avoid selecting one based on a general online search. We’ve suggested a top VPN for Uganda based on the following criteria:
- It has strong encryption and extra security elements.
- No logging policy.
- A vast network of servers located around the globe.
- Rapid, dependable speeds.
- Multiple concurrent connections allow you to share the bill.
- Android and iOS applications.
- Unblocking geo-restricted content.
NordVPN
NordVPN secures internet data using the 256-bit AES encryption standard and 2,048-bit RSA keys, which are called “military grade.” These are regarded as high-level measures that will safeguard your online activities from government snoopers. Additionally, DNS leak prevention and a process-specific kill switch are included as security measures.
The firm has a log-free policy. This implies that no user data on sessions, traffic, or timestamps will be stored.
In rare instances, NordVPN has received formal demands from government surveillance agencies to hand over user data. Given the government’s recent statements, it’s plausible that Uganda may do something similar. However, the policy ensured that no data was kept on servers that might be used to identify or incriminate individuals. Another encouraging feature is NordVPN’s incorporation in Panama, which exempts businesses from automatic compliance with data retention rules.
Its server network is extensive, with several locations worldwide. The firm now maintains over 5000 servers in several countries. Additionally, you may choose one for a particular purpose, such as anti-DDoS, video streaming, double VPN, Tor over VPN, or dedicated IP.
This service provides access to most geo-restricted content, such as Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. Additionally, it supports torrenting. A single paid membership entitles users to multiple concurrent connections—one more than the industry norm of five. NordVPN’s fast and dependable service has been available for more than a decade.
There are mobile applications for Android and iOS, as well as desktop software for Windows and MacOS.
How we discovered the best VPN for Uganda
Choosing between so many different VPN companies might be a pain. After all, there are so many people claiming to be the greatest! To help narrow the field, we made sure the VPN provided the following:
- Servers worldwide: Few VPNs provide servers in Uganda, although several do, notably in Egypt and South Africa. The VPN has been vetted to make sure it has a worldwide network of servers spread across dozens of countries. In this manner, you have a lot of flexibility about the server location to which you connect.
- Speed: Numerous VPNs promise to be fast, yet fall far short while streaming or torrenting. As a result, we conducted speed tests to determine the fastest VPNs. The best VPN for Uganda provides unlimited bandwidth, allowing you to browse, watch, and download freely.
- Unblocking: Whether you’re in Uganda or outside, you’re likely to encounter geo-restricted or even government-censored web information. VPNs of sufficient quality are capable of circumventing limitations. We’re certain that these VPNs will stand up after testing them against a variety of websites and services.
- Security: We search for VPNs that provide at least 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak prevention, and a kill switch. In certain situations, the VPN mentioned in this article provides additional features, such as double VPN servers or automatic wifi protection. As a result, you can always be certain that your data is safe.
- Privacy: If you’re worried about your ISP or possibly the Ugandan government watching your internet activity, use a VPN. This guarantees the encryption of your internet traffic. Additionally, you’ll need a VPN with a no-logs policy. We examined over 100 VPN logging policies to determine which ones best safeguard your privacy.
- Ease of use: We evaluate each VPN program to see how simple it is to use. It should take no more than a few seconds to connect to a server. The VPN mentioned in this article provides 24/7 assistance and a range of setup and troubleshooting manuals, making it simple to get started.
- Value for money: The top VPN for Uganda provides a range of subscription options (long- and short-term) to accommodate a variety of budgets. Even better, they all come with a minimum money-back guarantee. Additionally, we provide VPN discount codes to help you save even more money.
How can I circumvent Uganda’s social media tax by using a VPN?
To get an IP address outside of Uganda and access social networking sites, follow these steps:
- Select our suggested VPN. We suggest NordVPN.
- Complete the registration process with your payment card information and wait for your login credentials to be sent to you.
- Install the appropriate applications on your smartphone. This is something we suggest you do directly via the VPN’s website or app store.
- Clear your device’s cookies and restart it.
- Log in to the native app and establish a connection to a server outside Uganda. Due to Europe’s and North America’s strict privacy rules, we propose servers in those regions.
- A successful connection is shown by a VPN icon at the top of your smartphone’s screen or on the taskbar of your PC or Mac.
- Now that you’re secure online, you may use social networking sites in Uganda without paying taxes.
Is it necessary to use a free VPN in Uganda?
The internet is awash with free VPN services. These providers appeal to the inexperienced eye since they do not require consumers to pay using a credit card, PayPal, or Bitcoin up front. Unfortunately, it is often where the allure stops.
One of the primary reasons you’re using a VPN to access the internet in Uganda is to ensure that your digital imprint is concealed and protected. Free VPNs do not respect your privacy or anonymity by default; they have severely restricted server selection, use inadequate encryption standards, and may impose bandwidth limitations to alleviate network congestion. In other cases, free VPNs have watched and mined user data to sell it to advertisers. Numerous websites implant tracking cookies into your browser or place advertisements on web pages.
Given the danger to the internet in Uganda, we feel it is in your best interests to invest a small amount of money to guarantee your privacy and anonymity are not jeopardized.
Is internet access free in Uganda?
Uganda’s internet environment is somewhat free, according to advocacy group Freedom House in 2017. It is only a notch above “not free.” This score is anticipated to decline further with the implementation of the new social media restrictions.
According to Freedom House, bloggers in the African country have been imprisoned for criticizing the president. “During President Yoweri Museveni’s seventh term, the government took measures demonstrating its growing intolerance for critical online content,” with “authorities directly targeting citizens for their critical online commentary.”
Academics and bloggers have both been prosecuted for cyber harassment for speaking out against the state. The new social media restrictions may be the government’s latest move to promote its dictatorial impulses. This underscores the critical need for using a VPN when traveling within the nation—your personal safety and security are at risk. As such, if you are a Ugandan journalist, whistleblower, blogger, or human rights activist, you may choose to conceal your identity online. Our guide to blogging anonymously is a good place to start if you’re considering this route.
What else can I do in Uganda using a VPN?
While a VPN will aid you in evading the social media tax, it also offers a variety of additional uses. One is to use the software to download torrents safely and securely. Although it is unknown if torrenting is allowed in Uganda, we believe you should take precautions by concealing your digital presence. By initially connecting using a VPN, you may prevent your ISP from determining what you’re doing online.