Voting in Uganda's general election was marred by significant delays and technical failures on Thursday, with many polling stations failing to open on time and malfunctioning biometric machines sowing confusion and frustration among voters.
Across the capital, Kampala, and the key city of Jinja, AFP journalists and local sources reported that polling had still not begun as of 9:00 a.m. local time, nearly two hours after the scheduled start. The issues were attributed to a combination of late delivery of ballot papers and widespread failures of the biometric verification machines intended to check voters' identities.
The problems sparked accusations and anxiety in a high-stakes election where 81-year-old President Yoweri Museveni, in power for four decades, faces a formidable challenge from 43-year-old opposition leader and former singer Bobi Wine. The vote took place under an ongoing internet shutdown and a heavy police presence.
"We want to live in a country where the rule of law is followed. I'm feeling very tired, almost losing the morale to vote," said one voter, echoing a sentiment heard at multiple locations.
A ruling party official acknowledged the technical issues to AFP, stating, "Some biometric machines are not working. I don’t know if it’s the internet. We have not got any information from the (electoral commission)."
In central Jinja, businesswoman Abuza Monica Christine, 56, viewed the delays as intentional. "It is deliberate. This is a stronghold of the opposition," she claimed, standing at a stalled polling station. "Nobody is here to tell us what is happening."
However, similar problems were reported in central parts of Kampala not traditionally considered opposition strongholds, suggesting systemic issues.
Under a large poster of President Museveni in central Kampala, artisan Katomgole Juma, 48, waited in uncertainty. "The biometric machines are not working so we don’t know what’s going on," he said. "Of course I am worried. People will be upset because they won’t be certain of the result."
The scene was repeated in a poor area of Kampala known for supporting Bobi Wine. "I’ve been waiting for three hours without any reason given," said 21-year-old Tony Kaweesi.
The convergence of delays, technological breakdowns, and a stifled information environment due to the internet outage created a palpable atmosphere of doubt on the ground, leaving many voters questioning the integrity of the electoral process even before a single ballot was cast.
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