Uganda Elections Marred by Delays, Internet Shutdown, and Allegations of Irregularities
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More than 21 million Ugandans registered to vote in Thursday’s presidential and parliamentary elections, but the process was immediately beset by logistical challenges, including widespread delays and a nationwide internet shutdown. The disruptions have fueled concerns about the fairness and transparency of the election, pitting incumbent Yoweri Museveni against leading opposition candidate Bobi Wine.
Voting Delays and Technical Issues
Significant delays – reaching up to four hours in some areas – plagued the start of voting across the country. These were primarily attributed to failures in the biometric identification kits used to verify voters’ identities, a problem some observers linked to the concurrent internet outage. Reports also indicated a lack of essential equipment at numerous polling stations.
The electoral agency issued an apology for the “technical glitches” and stated that officials were working to resolve the issues. However, frustration mounted among voters queuing in Kampala and other locations. “I’m angry because I have not voted up to now. We are meant to start at seven, but up to now [08:00] we haven’t started. The ballots papers are not even there, I don’t even know what to say,” one voter in Kampala told the BBC. Reports emerged of voters leaving polling stations without casting their ballots due to the prolonged delays.
The problems appeared to affect both areas traditionally supportive of the government and opposition strongholds, suggesting a systemic issue rather than targeted disruption. When faced with malfunctioning biometric scanners, election chief Simon Byabakama authorized the use of the national voters’ register as an alternative verification method. While the country’s laws allow for extended polling hours to accommodate disruptions, the commission did not immediately confirm whether this would be implemented. Byabakama did state that all registered voters in the queue by 4:00 PM local time (1:00 PM GMT) would be permitted to vote.
A Two-Horse Race with a Familiar Dynamic
The presidential contest is largely considered a two-way battle between Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986 and is seeking a seventh consecutive term, and Bobi Wine, a 43-year-old pop star and charismatic opposition leader.
Museveni himself acknowledged experiencing difficulties with the biometric system while casting his vote in Rwakitura Village. “I put my thumbprint on the machine but it did not accept it. However, my face was accepted instantly by the machine. The machine works,” he stated, adding that he was investigating whether the issue was a deliberate manipulation.
Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, took to X (formerly Twitter) to allege that the biometric machines had “failed everywhere” and to report widespread irregularities, including the arrest of his agents.
Internet Shutdown and Concerns Over Transparency
The Ugandan government suspended internet access on Tuesday, citing the need to prevent the spread of misinformation, fraud, and incitement to violence. This move was swiftly condemned by the UN human rights office as “deeply worrying.” The National Unity Platform (NUP), Wine’s political party, rejected the government’s explanation, accusing authorities of attempting to stifle opposition mobilization and the sharing of evidence of potential election fraud. In response, the NUP launched an offline vote-monitoring app, Bitchat, which utilizes Bluetooth technology to share images of results forms and voting data without relying on internet connectivity.
A History of Disputed Elections and Political Repression
Museveni, a former guerrilla army leader, has benefited from constitutional amendments that removed age and term limits, allowing him to remain eligible for office. Wine previously challenged Museveni in the 2021 elections, but dismissed the results as fraudulent.
The current campaign period has been marked by allegations of disruption to opposition activities, with security forces accused of assaulting and detaining Wine’s supporters. Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke dismissed these claims, accusing supporters of the NUP of being disruptive. Amnesty International has described the actions of security forces as “a brutal campaign of repression.” Furthermore, the head of Uganda’s electoral body reportedly received threats warning against declaring certain results.
Economic Concerns and the Future of Uganda
Alongside the presidential race, voters are also choosing a new parliament, with 353 seats up for grabs. For many Ugandans, particularly the majority under the age of 30, the economy is the paramount issue. While average incomes are rising, there is a significant shortage of jobs for young people, coupled with concerns about inadequate infrastructure and disparities in access to quality education and healthcare.
The results of the presidential vote are expected to be announced by 4:00 PM local time (1:00 PM GMT) on Saturday. Analysts predict that Museveni is likely to extend his decades-long rule, despite Wine’s promises to tackle corruption and implement sweeping reforms. The coming days will be critical in determining the future trajectory of Uganda and whether the concerns surrounding this election will be adequately addressed.
