Uganda votes in high stakes contentious election amidst an internet shutdown and widespread political repression

By Richard Hakim/Penplusbytes

Uganda’s general elections represent a pivotal moment in the East African nation’s political history, with presidential and parliamentary polls taking place concurrently. The incumbent, President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, is seeking a seventh term, extending what has already been nearly four decades of rule.

Under the current constitution, term and age limits were abolished in prior amendments, allowing Museveni, now in his 80s, to continue his leadership beyond traditional democratic constraints.

Official figures show that over 21.6 million Ugandans are registered to vote, and the election will decide both the presidency and all 529 parliamentary seats, with outcomes that will shape the country’s governance and political trajectory for years to come.

Multiple candidates are contesting, but the race is widely viewed as dominated by the contest between Yoweri Museveni and his main opponent, pop star Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (better known as Bobi Wine), who leads the National Unity Platform (NUP) and draws strong support from younger and urban voters eager for change.

The campaign period leading up to today’s vote has been fraught with tension, heightened security, and restrictions that have alarmed human rights organizations and international observers alike.

Security forces, including soldiers and the special forces command, have been prominently deployed, especially in Kampala and surrounding regions, to monitor public spaces and opposition activity, a presence that critics argue could intimidate voters and opposition supporters.

Authorities have also imposed a nationwide internet shutdown in the days immediately preceding polling day,  a move government officials claim is aimed at curbing misinformation and potential unrest but one that independent groups and digital rights advocates warn undermines transparency, freedom of expression, and the ability of citizens to access timely election information. In past elections, similar shutdowns and communication restrictions have disrupted not only political communication but also economic activities, fueling deeper concerns about electoral integrity.

The opposition campaign, led by Bobi Wine, has been characterized by persistent challenges, including violent disruptions of rallies, arrests, and alleged harassment of his supporters by security forces. Bobi Wine himself has at times appeared in public donning protective gear to guard against tear gas and security force actions, symbols of the fraught environment in which he has campaigned.

The UN Human Rights Office and other observers have documented what they describe as widespread repression, including detentions, abductions, and the targeting of civic groups and journalists just days before the election, with some rights organizations being ordered to suspend operations entirely. These developments have intensified debates around whether the electoral process is being conducted on a level playing field, with detractors arguing that legal and extralegal pressures on opposition actors significantly skew the contest in favor of the incumbent.

Despite the challenging environment, many Ugandans, particularly young people who constitute a large segment of the electorate, are deeply motivated to participate, driven by concerns over unemployment, lack of economic opportunity, and a desire for political renewal.

While Museveni retains strong support, especially in rural areas where his long tenure has translated into entrenched political networks and patronage systems, the energy around Bobi Wine’s movement reflects a generational shift that has become impossible for both domestic and international observers to ignore.

Beyond the presidency, control of parliament will also be important, as it affects the government’s ability to enact policy and oversee the executive branch. The presence of multiple smaller candidates and parties adds complexity to the parliamentary races, though the dominance of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has historically limited major shifts in legislative power.

Looking ahead, the outcome of the election, whether Museveni secures another term or whether opposition gains are significant, will have substantial implications for Uganda’s democratic trajectory and regional politics in East Africa. If Museveni is re-elected, as many analysts anticipate, questions around succession and internal regime dynamics will intensify, especially given speculation surrounding his son’s prominence in the military and political sphere.

Conversely, meaningful gains by the opposition could signal a dramatic reconfiguration of Uganda’s political landscape, though the credibility of vote counting and reporting processes will be closely scrutinized under conditions of restricted communication and heightened security presence.

Ultimately, today’s vote is seen not just as a regular election but as a referendum on decades of governance, civil liberties, and the possibility of democratic renewal in a nation grappling with both deep political divides and aspirations for a more inclusive future.