Voting in Uganda's presidential and parliamentary elections faced disruptions Thursday due to logistical delays and an internet shutdown. More than 21 million Ugandans registered to vote in the election where incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, 81, who has been in power since 1986, is seeking a seventh term. He is being challenged by Bobi Wine, a pop star turned politician.
In Kampala, the BBC reported growing frustration among voters as polling stations remained closed an hour after voting was scheduled to begin. The delays were attributed to failures of biometric identification kits and a lack of equipment at some locations. Some have linked the biometric failures to the internet outage. Election officials have yet to comment on the delays.
Museveni's long tenure has been marked by periods of economic growth and stability, but also by accusations of authoritarianism and human rights abuses. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, has gained popularity among younger Ugandans, appealing to them with his message of change and his criticism of corruption and inequality.
The election is taking place against a backdrop of increasing political tension. Wine and his supporters have faced harassment and arrest in the lead-up to the vote. The government has defended its actions, saying they are necessary to maintain law and order.
The outcome of the election will have significant implications for Uganda's future. A victory for Museveni would likely mean a continuation of the status quo, while a win for Wine could usher in a period of political and economic reform.
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