Vote Counts for Uganda’s Presidential Election have Begun after Polls Closed

Polls in Uganda closed on Thursday after a tense and disorganised day of voting marked by an internet shutdown, long delays and technical failures, as President Yoweri Museveni moved to extend his four decades in power.

Museveni, 81, has ruled Uganda since 1986 after taking power through an armed rebellion. He is widely expected to secure a seventh term, backed by firm control over state institutions and the security forces.

Despite this, scenes from a stadium in Kampala, a known opposition stronghold, reflected strong support for his main rival. Large crowds cheered as votes were counted and officials announced ballots in favour of opposition leader Bobi Wine. The 43-year-old musician turned politician, who calls himself the “ghetto president” in reference to his upbringing in Kampala’s poorer areas, has faced intense pressure throughout the campaign. Human rights groups say his supporters and party members have been subjected to harsh crackdowns. Official election results are expected within 48 hours.

Wine accused the government of widespread vote manipulation, claiming ballot stuffing and arrests of opposition officials were carried out during the internet blackout imposed earlier this week. Across many parts of the country, voting started hours late due to delays in delivering ballot materials. Biometric voter verification machines also failed at several polling stations, with some officials linking the problems to the lack of internet access.

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