Uganda votes under tension as internet goes dark, security forces flood streets

Uganda was gripped by fear and uncertainty on Thursday as polls opened in a highly charged general election expected to extend President Yoweri Museveni’s four-decade grip on power, amid a sweeping security crackdown, opposition arrests, and a nationwide internet shutdown.

The East African nation went to the ballot under extraordinary circumstances after a government regulator ordered mobile network operators to block public internet access late Tuesday, plunging the country into digital darkness just days before voting.

Authorities said the move was meant to curb misinformation, but critics say it was designed to silence dissent and shield electoral manipulation from global scrutiny.

Polling stations across the country opened late, triggering frustration and anger among voters.

In parts of the capital Kampala, crowds gathered outside closed stations as police and soldiers mounted heavy patrols.

Aljazeera stated that journalists reported voting had begun shortly after 7am in some areas, while other stations remained shuttered hours into Election Day.

In the border town of Jinja, armed security forces dominated the streets, underscoring fears of possible unrest.

Uganda’s opposition swiftly condemned the delays, accusing the government of orchestrating chaos to influence the outcome.

“Everything they are doing is a sham and it is deliberate,” said David Lewis Rubongoya, secretary general of the opposition National Unity Platform.

He claimed voting was proceeding smoothly only in areas where the military was casting ballots.

More than 21.6 million Ugandans are registered to vote in an election taking place against a backdrop of deep economic frustration.

With nearly 70 percent of the population under the age of 35, unemployment and rising living costs have become defining issues, particularly for first-time voters desperate for change.

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