Uganda heads to polls under tight security and internet blackout

Ugandans are set to vote on Friday, January 16 , in a presidential election that could extend Yoweri Museveni’s nearly four-decade rule, raising questions about transparency, military involvement, and the possibility of hereditary succession. Museveni, 81, has been in power since 1986, navigating wars, political upheavals, and constitutional changes to maintain his hold on Uganda. As he campaigns for a seventh term, he faces a growing appetite for change among younger voters.

The main challenger is the musician-turned-politician Bobi Wine , 43, who has become a symbol of a new generation calling for political reform. Six other candidates are also in the running. With 21.6 million registered voters in a country of roughly 45 million, citizens will cast their ballots on Friday, January 16 , with polling stations opening early in the morning and results expected over the following days.

Less than 48 hours before voting, the Uganda Communications Commission ordered a nationwide internet shutdown and temporarily suspended the sale and registration of SIM cards. Authorities said the move was necessary to prevent online misinformation, electoral fraud, and potential violence. Activists and opposition supporters criticized the measure, saying it hampers their ability to monitor alleged election irregularities such as ballot stuffing and other malpractices that have marred previous elections.

The National Unity Platform , led by Wine, has urged supporters to remain near polling stations within the legal 20-metre boundary to prevent rigging. Wine encouraged voters to record any irregularities using cameras or phones. Electoral officials, however, have advised citizens to vote and leave, returning later to observe counting. This disagreement has raised fears that tensions could escalate if security forces enforce the electoral guidance.

Security has become highly visible in the capital. Armoured trucks and troops have been deployed across Kampala since Saturday, with soldiers patrolling key areas. Museveni, in a New Year’s Eve address, urged the use of tear gas against what he called “criminal opposition” gatherings. Wine claims at least three of his supporters have been killed during campaign events, accusing the military of effectively taking over the election. The United Nations Human Rights Office has highlighted reports of abductions and disappearances of opposition supporters, though Ugandan authorities maintain the campaigns have mostly been peaceful.

Museveni has maintained power by repeatedly amending term and age limits and sidelining rivals. Concerns over hereditary succession are heightened by his son, Kainerugaba , a four-star general, who has publicly expressed a desire to succeed his father. Social media posts by Kainerugaba, including threats against opposition figures, have sparked widespread controversy and intensified political tensions, adding to fears of a dynastic transition.

With the streets lined with soldiers, the internet offline, and opposition vigilance at polling stations, Uganda’s election is being closely watched internationally as a test of democracy in one of Africa’s long-standing regimes. Observers say the outcome will not only determine who governs Uganda but could also signal whether dynastic politics and authoritarian practices continue to dominate the country’s political landscape.