Ugandan opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine strongly criticized the nationwide internet shutdown as he cast his vote on Thursday, calling it a deliberate attempt to undermine the electoral process.
The government ordered the internet blackout on Tuesday through the national communications agency, citing concerns over misinformation, electoral fraud and the incitement of violence. The shutdown has disrupted daily life and affected key sectors, including banking and other essential services.
“The internet has been switched off across the country. This is done to facilitate the intended rigging of the regime,” Wine said after voting in Kampala. “Otherwise, why would Ugandans be denied the right to communicate? Why should elections be conducted in darkness?”
Thursday’s presidential election was further hampered by widespread delays at polling stations, some of which opened up to four hours late due to what the Electoral Commission described as “technical challenges.” Officials instructed polling staff to rely on paper voter registers to ensure voters were not disenfranchised.
President Yoweri Museveni, 81, who has been in power since 1986, is seeking another term against seven challengers, including Wine, whose legal name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu and who has emerged as a leading voice for political change.
Uganda, a nation of about 45 million people, has 21.6 million registered voters. Polling was scheduled to close at 4 p.m., with final results required by law to be announced within 48 hours.
Wine alleged that electoral fraud was taking place, pointing to failures of biometric voter identification machines at several polling stations. Museveni confirmed he had been informed of the malfunctioning equipment and said he supported the Electoral Commission’s decision to revert to paper records, but he did not address the fraud claims.
