Uganda election: Bobi Wine and wife cast votes, Wine slams internet shutdown

Internet Shutdown During Ugandan Presidential Election

On Thu, Uganda experienced an internet shutdown initiated by the government communications agency. This action was justified by the agency on grounds of addressing misinformation, electoral fraud, and incitement of violence. The shutdown has impacted various sectors, including banking, and has drawn criticism from opposition candidates.

The presidential election on Thu faced widespread delays alongside the internet shutdown. Some polling stations opened up to four hours late due to technical challenges. The electoral commission instructed polling officers to use paper registration records to prevent voter disenfranchisement. The election involves President Yoweri Museveni and seven other candidates, including Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine.

Uganda, with a population of approximately 45 million, has 21.6 million registered voters. Polls were scheduled to close at 4 p.m. on Thu, and election results are constitutionally mandated to be announced within 48 hours. Allegations of electoral fraud have been raised, particularly regarding the malfunctioning of biometric voter identification machines. President Museveni acknowledged the issue, supporting the use of paper registration records but did not address the fraud allegations.

Based on reporting by Africanews.