of pictures created on January 11, 2021 shows
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni (L) and Ugandan
musician-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi (R), also known as
Bobi Wine. (Photo by Sumy Sadurni / AFP)
Ugandans began voting in a tense election Thursday under
heavy security and an internet blackout as veteran leader Yoweri
Museveni pursues a sixth term against a former pop star half his
age.
The internet went down on the eve of the vote, with some parts
of the country reporting complete disruptions or significant
slowdowns, after one of the most violent campaigns in years.
Museveni is seeking a sixth term in office, having ruled for
almost four decades, against singer-turned-MP Bobi Wine, 38, whose
popularity among a youthful population has rattled the former rebel
leader.
In the Kamwokya slum, where Wine grew up and is hugely popular,
voters streamed to a polling station as police tried to enforce
social distancing after weeks of surging coronavirus cases in the
East African nation.
A group of about two dozen riot officers marched past, with
heavy military and police presence in other parts of the
capital.
“I am here to change the leadership of this nation because for
years they’ve been telling me they will secure my future. They have
not done that,” said driver Joseph Nsuduga, 30, one of the first in
line to vote.
“I need to see change for my children. People are yearning for
change but we are seeing nothing.”
Voting was delayed in several locations in the capital Kampala,
beginning about half an hour after the official starting time of
7am (0400 GMT). Polls close at 4pm (1200 GMT).
Some 18 million voters are registered for the presidential and
parliamentary vote, and results are expected by Saturday.
Museveni has ruled Uganda without pause since seizing control in
1986, when he helped to end years of tyranny under Idi Amin.
Once hailed for his commitment to good governance, the former
rebel leader has crushed any opposition and tweaked the
constitution to allow himself to run again and again.
The run-up to polling day was marred by a sustained crackdown on
Museveni’s rivals and government critics, and unprecedented attacks
on the nation’s media and human rights defenders.
In November, at least 54 people were shot dead by security
forces loyal to Museveni during protests against one of Wine’s
numerous arrests.
On Wednesday armoured-personnel carriers with mounted machine
guns patrolled parts of Kampala and army helicopters and
surveillance drones flew over the teeming capital where the
political opposition has traditionally enjoyed support.
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The energetic and often genial Museveni is active on social
media such as Twitter — where he released an exercise video to help
citizens stay fit during lockdown — and retains support among
voters such as Ceria Makumbi, 52.
“He has brought security to our country… He built hospitals,
roads and brought Uganda to an international standard,” the
businesswoman told AFP.
– Little oversight –
The US, EU, UN and global rights and democracy groups have raised
concerns about the integrity and transparency of the election.
Only one foreign organisation, the African Union (AU), has sent
monitors, along with an AU women’s group.
On Wednesday, the United States, a major aid donor to Uganda,
announced it was cancelling a diplomatic observer mission after too
many of its staff were denied permission to monitor the
election.
In a statement, US ambassador Natalie Brown warned the refusal
meant the election “will lack the accountability, transparency and
confidence” brought by independent oversight.
On Tuesday, Museveni announced the suspension of social media
networks and messaging services like Instagram, Twitter and
WhatsApp in response to Facebook closing accounts linked to
government officials the tech giant said were spreading
misinformation.
Wine is the strongest of 10 opposition contenders trying to
unseat Museveni.
But most observers expect the ageing president and his ruling
National Resistance Movement to emerge victorious.
He has never lost an election, and has been counting down the
days to victory in confident campaign advertisers.com.ngs, promising to invest more in
infrastructure, health and education and build Uganda’s
economy.
But Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has accused the
president of presiding over corruption and failing to deliver
jobs.
– Generation gap –
The population has a median age of just less than 16, and many
Ugandans have never known anyone but Museveni in charge.
In Kamwokya Cate Nabbale, 20, a primary school teacher, voted
for the first time.
“I am so excited … I want to see Uganda growing, things
changing,” she told AFP.
Wine has vowed non-violent street protests should Ugandans feel
the election was stolen.
The opposition leader has urged them to turn out in large
numbers and vote, saying they should not fear intimidation by the
authorities.
Museveni has warned his opponents against taking to the
streets.
“If you use violence to protest against an election result, that
is treason,” Museveni said in a national address Tuesday.
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