Polling stations across Uganda closed on Thursday following a turbulent voting day marked by an internet shutdown, logistical delays and technical failures, as President Yoweri Museveni pursued an extension of his nearly four-decade rule.
Museveni, 81, who came to power in 1986 after leading a rebel movement, is widely seen as the frontrunner for a seventh term, aided by his firm grip over state institutions and the security forces.
In Kampala, however, signs of opposition support were visible. At a stadium in an area known for backing the opposition, crowds applauded as officials publicly counted ballots and announced votes cast for the main challenger, musician-turned-politician Bobi Wine. Wine, 43, who refers to himself as the “ghetto president” in reference to his upbringing in Kampala’s informal settlements, has faced sustained pressure during the campaign, according to human rights organisations. Election authorities said official results were expected within 48 hours.
Wine alleged widespread irregularities, accusing authorities of ballot manipulation and of detaining members of his party during the period of restricted internet access imposed earlier in the week. Voting at many locations began hours late after ballot materials arrived behind schedule and biometric voter verification devices failed to function properly, problems some observers linked to the internet blackout.
“We are holding elections in the dark,” Wine said after voting, arguing that the restrictions were intended to undermine the integrity of the process. He called on Ugandans to oppose what he described as electoral manipulation.
Despite these concerns, election-day violence appeared limited. The Ugandan Red Cross, which deployed observers nationwide, reported no significant incidents. Security forces were deployed in large numbers, reflecting government efforts to prevent unrest similar to protests seen recently in neighbouring countries.
Museveni himself acknowledged difficulties with the biometric equipment at his polling station, saying multiple fingerprint scans failed before facial recognition allowed him to vote. He said the issue would be investigated.
The campaign period was marked by arrests of opposition supporters, echoing patterns seen during Wine’s previous election bid in 2021. Wine has described the political environment as hostile, often appearing at rallies wearing protective gear and portraying the contest as a struggle against authoritarian rule.
Human Rights Watch criticised the government’s suspension of 10 non-governmental organisations, including election monitoring groups, ahead of the vote. Authorities defended the internet shutdown as a measure to curb misinformation and incitement, a justification the United Nations described as a cause for serious concern.
Another long-standing opposition figure, Kizza Besigye, who has contested Museveni four times, remains on trial for treason after being detained in Kenya in 2024 and transferred back to Uganda.
Museveni continues to retain support among segments of the population who credit him with restoring stability after years of post-independence turmoil and overseeing economic growth, despite repeated corruption scandals.
“Peace and security in the country is very good. The party is well organised,” said Angee Abraham Lincoln, a Museveni supporter waiting to vote in Kampala.
Internationally, Museveni has often benefited from strategic tolerance by Western governments, particularly after implementing market-oriented reforms in the late 1980s and positioning Uganda as a security partner in the fight against militant groups, including through military deployments in Somalia. After casting his ballot, Museveni said he had voted for anyone “who believes in Uganda” and “who believes in Africa.”
