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Polls have opened in Uganda, though voting has been disrupted by widespread logistical delays across the country amid an internet shutdown.<\/p>\n
At 08:00 local time (05:00 GMT), the BBC observed that voting had yet to begin at five polling stations in the capital, Kampala, an hour after polls were due to open.<\/p>\n
The delays have been blamed on failures of biometric identification kits, which some have linked to the network outage.<\/p>\n
President Yoweri Museveni, 81, who has ruled the country for nearly four decades, is seeking a seventh term as he faces a challenge from a charismatic pop star.<\/p>\n
The poll is essentially a two-horse race between Museveni and singer-turned-politician Bobi Wine, but given the president has won the six previous elections, analysts say he is likely to further extend his time in power.<\/p>\n
Wine, 43, has promised to tackle corruption and impose sweeping reforms, while Museveni argues he is the sole guarantor of stability and progress in the country.<\/p>\n
The campaign period has been marred by the disruption of opposition activities – security forces have been accused of assaulting and detaining Wine’s supporters.<\/p>\n
Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke has dismissed these complaints, accusing opposition supporters, particularly those belonging to Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) party, of being disruptive.<\/p>\n
Internet access had been suspended ahead of voting day, with Uganda’s Communications Commission saying a blackout was necessary to prevent misinformation, fraud and the incitement of violence – a move condemned by the UN human rights office as “deeply worrying”.<\/p>\n
The NUP has rejected this explanation, accusing the regulator of trying to stop the opposition from mobilising and sharing evidence of election fraud.<\/p>\n
The former leader of a guerrilla army, Museveni has benefitted from two constitutional amendments<\/a> – removing age and term limits – that have allowed him to keep running for office.<\/p>\n Wine, real name Robert Kyagulanyi, lost to the president in the 2021 elections. According to the electoral commission, he gained 35% of the vote compared to Museveni’s 59%, although Wine dismissed the results, alleging fraud.<\/p>\n Alongside Museveni and Wine, six other presidential candidates are on this year’s ballot papers.<\/p>\n Voters will also chose a new parliament, with 353 seats up for grabs.<\/p>\n For many of those voting on Thursday, the economy is the key issue.<\/p>\n The majority of the population is under 30 and although the average income is steadily rising, there are not enough jobs for all the young people looking for work.<\/p>\n There are also concerns about poor infrastructure and disparities in access to quality education and healthcare.<\/p>\n During the campaign period, opposition supporters have faced escalating harassment, including arrest on politically motivated charges, according to both the United Nations and Amnesty International.<\/p>\n Wine’s rallies, unlike those of Museveni, have been disrupted by security forces.<\/p>\n Amnesty has described the use of tear gas, pepper spray, beatings and other violent acts as “a brutal campaign of repression” ahead of the vote.<\/p>\n