Ugandans are heading to the polls in a high-stakes election widely anticipated to prolong President Yoweri Museveni's nearly four-decade grip on power, following a campaign period marked by significant state violence and repression against the opposition.
A Campaign Marred by Violence and Repression
The lead-up to Thursday's vote has been characterised by a severe crackdown on dissent. Security forces have repeatedly used tear gas, live ammunition, and brute force to disrupt campaign events for Museveni's primary challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine. Hundreds of his supporters have been arrested, and at least one person has been killed.
In a move amplifying fears of electoral malpractice and unrest, the government ordered a nationwide internet shutdown and restricted mobile phone services on Tuesday. Authorities have also suspended the operations of several rights groups and arrested civil society members, including activist Sarah Bireete, who had raised concerns about voter registry discrepancies.
The Stakes for a Nation Under One Leader
At 81 years old, Yoweri Museveni is seeking a seventh term in office. Having seized power in 1986 after a civil war, most Ugandans have never known another president. While credited with initially restoring stability and economic growth, his prolonged rule is now defined by accusations of rampant corruption, authoritarianism, and the systematic erosion of judicial independence.
His main opponent, the 43-year-old singer-turned-politician Bobi Wine, leads the National Unity Platform (NUP) and has energised a youthful population concerned about its future. Wine's manifesto promises "a complete reset of Uganda", focusing on human rights and anti-corruption measures. In the 2021 election, Museveni won with 58.38% of the vote against Wine's 35.08%.
International Concern and Domestic Polarisation
A recent report from the UN human rights office accused Ugandan authorities of using laws to entrench repression and restrict rights ahead of the vote, creating an environment of widespread intimidation. Observers warn the election risks deepening political divides in a country prone to instability.
Political historian Mwambutsya Ndebesa notes that Wine's challenge has exposed the regime's intolerance for dissent. "The political class is getting more and more politically polarised. And that threatens the stability of the country," he stated.
The government defends its actions as a necessary response to what it calls lawless conduct by opposition supporters. In a New Year's Eve address, Museveni advised security forces to use more teargas against "the criminal opposition".
With 21.6 million registered voters across the nation, the election is also seen as a test for Museveni's eventual succession plan, amid long-standing speculation he is grooming his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to take over.
