KAMPALA – On Thursday, Ugandans began casting their votes in a presidential election marked by an ongoing internet blackout, a move critics argue undermines democracy in a nation led by the same president since 1986.

Voters flocked to polling sites, forming considerable queues as some stations experienced delayed openings, with voting materials arriving after the intended start time of 7 a.m.

In this election, President Yoweri Museveni, aged 81, is challenged by seven other contenders, notably Robert Kyagulanyi, widely recognized as Bobi Wine, a popular musician who has become a prominent political figure advocating for change.

Uganda, located in East Africa and home to approximately 45 million people, has 21.6 million citizens registered to vote.

The electoral commission has scheduled the polls to close at 4 p.m. on Thursday, with the constitution mandating that results are declared within 48 hours.

Impatience brewed among voters who gathered outside polling stations, voicing their frustrations over the delays. Umaru Mutyaba, representing a parliamentary candidate as a polling agent, described the experience of waiting outside a station in Kampala as “frustrating.”

“We can’t be standing here waiting to vote as if we have nothing else to do,” he said.

There have been concerns about transparency, the possibility of hereditary rule, military interference and opposition strategies to prevent vote tampering at polling stations.

Uganda’s internet was shut down Tuesday by the government communications agency, which cited misinformation, electoral fraud and incitement of violence. The shutdown has affected the public and disrupted critical sectors such as banking.

There has been heavy security leading up to voting, including military units deployed on the streets this week.

Amnesty International said security forces are engaging in a “brutal campaign of repression,” citing a Nov. 28 opposition rally in eastern Uganda where the military blocked exits and opened fire on supporters, killing one person.

Museveni urged voters to come out in large numbers during his final rally Tuesday.

“You go and vote, anybody who tries to interfere with your freedom will be crushed. I am telling you this. We are ready to put an end to this indiscipline,” he said.

The national electoral commission chairperson, Simon Byabakama, urged tolerance among Ugandans as they vote.

“Let us keep the peace that we have,” Byabakama said late Wednesday. “Let us be civil. Let us be courteous. Let’s be tolerant. Even if you know that this person does not support (your) candidate, please give him or her room or opportunity to go and exercise his or her constitutional right.”

Authorities also suspended the activities of several civic groups during the campaign season. That Group, a prominent media watchdog, closed its office Wednesday after the interior ministry alleged in a letter that the group was involved in activities “prejudicial to the security and laws of Uganda.”

Veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, remains in prison after he was charged with treason in February 2025.