Polls have opened in Uganda's presidential and parliamentary elections, although the voting process has been heavily disrupted by logistical challenges and a nationwide internet shutdown.
In Kampala, voters grew increasingly frustrated as polling stations failed to open on time and biometric identification systems malfunctioned. Reports from various areas noted that delays were largely due to failures of the biometric kits and the late arrival of electoral materials.
President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, is vying for a seventh term, facing off against opposition candidate and popular musician Bobi Wine. As the election day unfolded, concerns grew about the impact of the internet blackout, which officials insisted was necessary to prevent misinformation and potential violence but was labeled by critics as an attempt to suppress dissent.
Reports indicated that, in addition to logistical disruptions, security forces have been accused of violent repression of opposition supporters during the campaign, raising alarms over the fairness of the election process. The government claims the blackout is a precaution, which has drawn condemnation from the UN and local human rights organizations, asserting it limits citizens' ability to engage in the electoral process.
With polls set to close at 16:00 local time, the results are expected to be announced on Saturday. The nation awaits whether Museveni will extend his long-standing rule or if Bobi Wine's reformist agenda will resonate among the youthful electorate.
