KAMPALA, Jan 14, 2021 (BSS/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 election campaigns in years.
Voting was delayed in several locations in the capital Kampala, beginning
about half an hour after the official starting time of 7am (0400 GMT), and
will continue until 4pm (1200 GMT).
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, voters streamed in to a polling
station in a dirt clearing, as police tried to keep social distance as
coronavirus cases continue to surge.
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.”
Some 18 million voters are registered for the presidential and
parliamentary vote, which will unfold in nearly 35,000 polling stations.
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.
– Hopes and threats –
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 advertisements, 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.
“This is the time I’ve been longing for. I have finished casting my ballot
and I hope my candidate wins,” said businessman Abbey Musaka, 37, who voted
at Njovu polling station in another area of Kampala, without saying who he
was supporting. 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, who has suggested Wine is supported by foreign and criminal
elements, 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.
Results are expected by Saturday evening.