Widespread delays hit Uganda election amid internet shutdown

Widespread delays hit Uganda election amid internet shutdown Polls have opened in Uganda's presidential and parliamentary election, though voting has been disrupted by widespread logistical delays across the country amid an internet shutdown. More than 21 million Ugandans have registered to vote At 08:00 local time (05:00 GMT), the BBC observed that things had yet to get going at five polling stations in the capital, Kampala, an hour after voting was due to start. The delays have been blamed on failures of biometric identification kits, which some have linked to the network outage. In the presidential race, Yoweri Museveni, 81, who has ruled the country for nearly four decades, is seeking a seventh successive election victory as he faces a challenge from a charismatic pop star. Where voting has been taking place, there are reports that the biometric machines used to verify voters' identities are still malfunctioning in some areas. "Some biometric machines are not working. I don't know if it's the internet," a ruling party official told AFP news agency. Delays have also been caused by polling materials and equipment failing to arrive at some stations on time. "We arrived early at the polling station, but the voting equipment has not yet arrived," a voter in Kampala told state-run UBC TV. A BBC reporter says there is a growing frustration among voters over prolonged delays at some polling stations and electoral officials are yet to comment on the matter. The problems appear to be affecting areas that are seen as pro-government as well as areas that are seen as pro-opposition. The poll is essentially a two-horse race between Museveni and singer-turned-politician Bobi Wine, but given the president has won the six previous elections, analysts say he is likely to further extend his time in power. Wine, 43, has promised to tackle corruption and impose sweeping reforms, while Museveni argues he is the sole guarantor of stability and progress in the country. The campaign period was marred by the disruption of opposition activities - security forces have been accused of assaulting and detaining Wine's supporters. Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke dismissed these complaints, accusing opposition supporters, particularly those belonging to Wine's National Unity Platform (NUP) party, of being disruptive. Internet access had been suspended ahead of voting day, with Uganda's Communications Commission saying a blackout was necessary to prevent misinformation, fraud and the incitement of violence - a move condemned by the UN human rights office as "deeply worrying". The NUP has rejected this explanation, accusing the regulator of trying to stop the opposition from mobilising and sharing evidence of election fraud. The former leader of a guerrilla army, Museveni has benefitted from two constitutional amendments - removing age and term limits - that have allowed him to keep running for office. Wine, real name Robert Kyagulanyi, lost to the president in the 2021 elections. According to the electoral commission, he gained 35% of the vote compared to Museveni's 59%, although Wine dismissed the results, alleging fraud. Alongside Museveni and Wine,...

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