Tension in Uganda as citizens vote in charged election under internet blackout | READ DETAILS
chuks oti
Jan 14, 2021
Ugandans lined up to vote in a tense election Thursday under heavy security and an internet blackout as veteran leader Yoweri Museveni seeks a sixth term against a former pop star half his age.
READ ALSO: APC Has Defeated Boko Haram Created By PDP - Adamu Garba
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.
READ ALSO: Yul Edochie Reveals Shocking Truth About The Guy In Tiwa Savage's S3x tape
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.
READ ALSO: Why Madagascar Soldiers Refused Orders to Shoot Protesters | WATCH VIDEO
Wine said several of his party's polling agents had been arrested during the morning, as he cast his vote alongside his wife Barbie, to a crowd of dancing and singing supporters.
READ ALSO: Trump Speaks Out: Why U.S. May Join the Israel-Iran War | READ DETAILS
"In 22 districts out teams are on the run because they are being surrounded and pursued by police and soldiers as if they are criminals,ÔÇØ he said.
READ ALSO: How I Survived When Everyone Else DiedÔÇØ - Lone Survivor of Air India Crash Speaks
In Kampala's Kamwokya slum, where Wine grew up and is hugely popular, voters streamed to a polling station as police enforced social distancing after weeks of surging coronavirus cases in the East African nation.
READ ALSO: Tension, anger over Ishaku's long absence from Taraba
A group of about two dozen riot officers marched past, with heavy military and police presence in other parts of the capital.
READ ALSO: Dr. Chima Anyaso Hosts Namibian Governor, Strengthens Africa's Economic Partnerships
"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,ÔÇØ said driver Joseph Nsuduga, 30, one of the first in line to vote.
READ ALSO: WHY Police Arrested Akon in Georgia Revealed: Full Details Emerge
Some 18 million voters are registered for the presidential and parliamentary vote, and results are expected by Saturday.
READ ALSO: ISIS CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY FOR SRI LANKA ATTACK
'Treason' warning
"We know that Ugandans have turned out in large numbers to cast their vote. I continue to encourage all Ugandans to turn out and vote,ÔÇØ Wine said.
READ ALSO: How NIN holders were made to pay N15,000 for date of birth correction | READ DETAILS
He has vowed non-violent street protests should Ugandans feel the election was stolen and urged them this week to "stay and protect your voteÔÇØ, using their phone cameras.
READ ALSO: Leicester City Deliberate On Ôé¼14m Fee For Lookman
Museveni has warned that using violence to protest the result would amount to "treasonÔÇØ.
READ ALSO: President Trump Unveils $1,000 Investment Account for All Babies Born Between 2025-2028
He has ruled Uganda without pause since seizing control in 1986 when he helped to end years of tyranny under Idi Amin.
READ ALSO: APC Has Defeated Boko Haram Created By PDP - Adamu Garba
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.
READ ALSO: Yul Edochie Reveals Shocking Truth About The Guy In Tiwa Savage's S3x tape
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.
READ ALSO: Why Madagascar Soldiers Refused Orders to Shoot Protesters | WATCH VIDEO
In November, at least 54 people were shot dead by security forces loyal to Museveni during protests against one of Wine's numerous arrests.
READ ALSO: Trump Speaks Out: Why U.S. May Join the Israel-Iran War | READ DETAILS
'He's brought security'
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.
READ ALSO: How I Survived When Everyone Else DiedÔÇØ - Lone Survivor of Air India Crash Speaks
"He has brought security to our country... He built hospitals, roads and brought Uganda to an international standard,ÔÇØ the businesswoman told AFP.
READ ALSO: Tension, anger over Ishaku's long absence from Taraba
The US, EU, UN and global rights and democracy groups have raised concerns about the integrity and transparency of the election.
READ ALSO: Dr. Chima Anyaso Hosts Namibian Governor, Strengthens Africa's Economic Partnerships
Only one foreign organisation, the African Union (AU), has sent monitors, along with an AU women's group.
READ ALSO: WHY Police Arrested Akon in Georgia Revealed: Full Details Emerge
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.
READ ALSO: ISIS CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY FOR SRI LANKA ATTACK
In a statement, US ambassador Natalie Brown warned the refusal meant the election "will lack the accountability, transparency and confidenceÔÇØ brought by independent oversight.
READ ALSO: How NIN holders were made to pay N15,000 for date of birth correction | READ DETAILS
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.
READ ALSO: Leicester City Deliberate On Ôé¼14m Fee For Lookman
Generation gap
Wine is the strongest of 10 opposition contenders trying to unseat Museveni.
READ ALSO: President Trump Unveils $1,000 Investment Account for All Babies Born Between 2025-2028
But most observers expect the ageing president and his ruling National Resistance Movement to emerge victorious.
READ ALSO: APC Has Defeated Boko Haram Created By PDP - Adamu Garba
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.
READ ALSO: Yul Edochie Reveals Shocking Truth About The Guy In Tiwa Savage's S3x tape
But Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has accused the president of presiding over corruption and failing to deliver jobs.
READ ALSO: Why Madagascar Soldiers Refused Orders to Shoot Protesters | WATCH VIDEO
The population has a median age of just less than 16, and many Ugandans have never known anyone but Museveni in charge.
READ ALSO: Trump Speaks Out: Why U.S. May Join the Israel-Iran War | READ DETAILS
In Kamwokya, Cate Nabbale, 20, a primary school teacher, voted for the first time.
READ ALSO: How I Survived When Everyone Else DiedÔÇØ - Lone Survivor of Air India Crash Speaks
"I am so excited... I want to see Uganda growing, things changing,ÔÇØ she told AFP.
Related Stories
WHY Police Arrested Akon in Georgia Revealed: Full Details Emerge
Dr. Chima Anyaso Hosts Namibian Governor, Strengthens Africa's Economic Partnerships
Why Madagascar Soldiers Refused Orders to Shoot Protesters | WATCH VIDEO
Trump Speaks Out: Why U.S. May Join the Israel-Iran War | READ DETAILS
How I Survived When Everyone Else DiedÔÇØ - Lone Survivor of Air India Crash Speaks
President Trump Unveils $1,000 Investment Account for All Babies Born Between 2025-2028
""
— chuks oti