Uganda – Polls closed across the country on Thursday after a turbulent voting day that unfolded under an internet blackout and widespread delays, as Ugandans cast ballots in one of the most closely watched elections in years. Electoral officials confirmed that voting ended in the late afternoon, with results expected within 48 hours.
The Uganda polls took place amid logistical challenges, including late delivery of ballot materials and failures of biometric voter verification machines. These disruptions affected both urban and rural areas, frustrating voters who waited for hours before casting their ballots. Authorities maintained that all eligible citizens would be allowed to vote despite the setbacks.
President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, is seeking to extend his four decades in power with a seventh term. Widely regarded as the frontrunner, Museveni benefits from a deeply entrenched political system and firm control over state institutions and security forces.
In parts of the capital, Kampala, the atmosphere contrasted sharply. At an opposition-leaning venue, crowds reportedly cheered as early vote counting showed support for Museveni’s main challenger, Bobi Wine. The former pop star, who brands himself the “ghetto president,” has drawn strong backing from younger voters despite facing repeated disruptions to his campaign.
Bobi Wine accused the government of exploiting the internet blackout to interfere with the vote, alleging ballot-stuffing and the arrest of opposition party officials. Speaking after voting, he described the process as taking place “in the dark,” arguing that the shutdown undermined transparency and accountability.
Despite the tense political climate, election day passed without major outbreaks of violence. The Ugandan Red Cross, which deployed teams nationwide, said it had received no significant reports of election-related unrest. Security forces, however, maintained a heavy presence throughout the day, particularly in urban centers, as authorities sought to prevent protests similar to those recently seen in neighboring countries.
Even the president acknowledged technical problems at his own polling station. Museveni told journalists that the biometric system initially failed to recognize his fingerprints, only accepting facial recognition after several attempts. He promised investigations into the equipment failures that delayed voting for thousands of citizens.
Human rights organizations criticized the broader election environment, pointing to the suspension of several civil society groups, including election monitors, and the internet shutdown imposed earlier in the week. The United Nations described the blackout as deeply concerning, while the government defended it as a necessary step to curb misinformation and prevent violence.
As polls close and counting begins, Uganda now waits for official results that could shape its political direction for years to come. While some voters continue to credit Museveni with restoring stability and promoting economic growth, others see the election as a decisive moment for democratic change in a country with one of the youngest populations in the world.
