Ugandan election 2026: Yoweri Museveni faces Bobi Wine in presidential poll

Widespread delays and an internet shutdown have marred the commencement of Uganda’s crucial 2026 presidential and parliamentary elections, sparking frustration among millions of registered voters. The electoral process, which was scheduled to begin promptly, has been significantly hampered by logistical failures and technical glitches, particularly concerning the biometric identification kits essential for voter verification. In the capital, Kampala, the BBC observed growing impatience as voters queued for hours at polling stations that had yet to open, with many blaming the widespread network outage for the inability of the biometric devices to function.

The Electoral Commission has acknowledged the "technical glitches" and issued an apology, assuring the public that efforts are underway to rectify the situation. However, the disruptions have fueled concerns about the integrity and fairness of the electoral process. The presidential race is a highly anticipated contest, pitting incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, 81, who has been in power since 1986 and is seeking a seventh consecutive term, against the charismatic 43-year-old pop star turned politician, Bobi Wine.

In areas where voting has managed to proceed, reports indicate that biometric machines are still experiencing malfunctions, and in some instances, essential polling materials and equipment failed to arrive on time. Kaweesi Ismail, a voter in Kampala, expressed his deep frustration to the BBC: "I’m angry because I have not voted up to now. We are meant to start at seven, but up to now we haven’t started. The ballot papers are not even there, I don’t even know what to say."

President Museveni himself reported encountering difficulties while casting his vote in his home village of Rwakitura, western Mbarara region. He stated, "I put my thumbprint on the machine but it did not accept it. However, my face was accepted instantly by the machine. The machine works." When questioned about potential manipulations, the president remarked, "This is one of the manipulations – we have to find out why, what was the problem?" He added, "We are now verifying whether this was deliberate."

In response to the widespread issues, the head of Uganda’s Electoral Commission, Simon Byabakama, ordered the use of the national voters’ register as an alternative where biometric machines failed. "It is the primary duty of the Electoral Commission to ensure that no citizen is disenfranchised due to machine failure," he stated. The problems appear to be affecting polling stations across the country, irrespective of whether they are considered government strongholds or opposition areas.

Bobi Wine, via a post on X, expressed his dismay, claiming that the biometric machines "have failed everywhere" and alleging widespread irregularities, including the arrest of his polling agents. He stated, "The biometric machines have failed everywhere. We have reports of widespread irregularities and the arrest of our agents." The Ugandan law does permit the extension of polling hours in the event of disruptions. Byabakama confirmed, "Polling stations will remain open until all registered voters in the queue by 4:00 pm (13:00 GMT) have cast their votes."

The presidential election is largely seen as a direct confrontation between Museveni and Wine. Despite Museveni’s consistent victories in the previous six elections, analysts suggest he is likely to secure another term. Wine has pledged to combat corruption and implement significant reforms, while Museveni positions himself as the sole guarantor of stability and national progress. The Electoral Commission has announced that the presidential vote results will be declared by Saturday at 16:00 local time (13:00 GMT).

The campaign period leading up to election day was marred by the systematic disruption of opposition activities. Security forces have been accused of assaulting and detaining Bobi Wine’s supporters. Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke has refuted these claims, accusing opposition supporters, particularly those affiliated with Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) party, of being disruptive.

The internet access was suspended just before voting commenced. Uganda’s Communications Commission cited the need to prevent misinformation, fraud, and the incitement of violence as reasons for the shutdown. This move has been strongly condemned by the UN human rights office as "deeply worrying." The NUP, however, disputes this explanation, accusing the regulator of attempting to stifle the opposition’s ability to mobilize and document potential election fraud. In anticipation of such a blackout, the party developed an offline vote-monitoring app named Bitchat, which utilizes Bluetooth technology to transmit results forms and voting data from polling stations without requiring internet connectivity.

President Museveni, a former leader of a guerrilla army, has maintained his grip on power, facilitated by two constitutional amendments that removed age and term limits for presidential candidates. In the 2021 elections, Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, contested against Museveni and reportedly secured 35% of the vote compared to Museveni’s 59%, according to the Electoral Commission. However, Wine alleged fraud and dismissed the results. This year, seven presidential candidates are vying for the nation’s top job, including Museveni and Wine. Voters will also elect members for a new parliament, with 353 seats available.

For a significant portion of the electorate, the economy remains the paramount issue. With a population predominantly under the age of 30, the rising average income has not translated into sufficient job opportunities for the youth. Concerns about inadequate infrastructure and disparities in access to quality education and healthcare also weigh heavily on voters’ minds.

Human rights organizations, including the United Nations and Amnesty International, have reported escalating harassment of opposition supporters during the campaign period, including arrests on politically motivated charges. Unlike Museveni’s rallies, Wine’s gatherings have frequently been disrupted by security forces. Amnesty International has characterized the use of tear gas, pepper spray, beatings, and other violent acts as "a brutal campaign of repression" preceding the vote.

Adding to the tension, the head of Uganda’s electoral body has reportedly received threats warning him against declaring specific election outcomes. The 2021 elections were also characterized by violence, with dozens of fatalities during protests, and a BBC investigation revealed that security forces were responsible for at least some of these deaths.

Security has been significantly heightened in Kampala since Saturday, with uniformed officers conducting patrols and armoured vehicles stationed at various strategic locations. Some residents of Kampala have chosen to relocate to rural areas, expressing a belief that these regions offer greater safety during the election period. One anonymous voter told the BBC, "Because Ugandan elections are often violent, I decided to re-register my polling centre in my home village. I’m glad I made that decision, because as you can see now, there is a heavy and intimidating security presence in the city. So while I will still vote in my village, I am also staying away from this security scare."

Additional reporting by Wedaeli Chibelushi.