Yoweri Museveni has been declared the victor in Uganda's presidential election, thereby extending his four-decade tenure in power. This announcement, made on Sunday, has unfortunately been met with significant international condemnation. Opposition parties have vehemently decried the results as fraudulent, citing a deeply flawed electoral process. This process was notably marred by an extensive internet shutdown and widespread allegations of state-sponsored repression.
The incumbent president, seeking his seventh term, reportedly secured a substantial 72% of the official vote. This figure has been vehemently rejected by Bobi Wine, the charismatic opposition leader and frontman for the National Unity Platform (NUP). Wine, who officially garnered 25% of the vote, has labelled the election "fake." He claims that significant irregularities, including ballot stuffing and the alleged abduction of election officials, permeated the entire voting process. These assertions are echoed by numerous domestic and international observers, including rights organisations like Freedom House.
The period leading up to and following the election was characterised by a palpable atmosphere of tension and suppression. An almost complete internet blackout, imposed by the government from Thursday until late Saturday, severely hampered communication and the dissemination of crucial information. This tactic was widely interpreted as a deliberate attempt to stifle dissent and control the prevailing narrative. While internet access has been partially restored, social media platforms unfortunately remain inaccessible.
Adding to the controversy, opposition leader Bobi Wine reported that his home in central Uganda was raided by security forces on Friday. Further reports indicated a strong military and police presence at his residence throughout Saturday. Wine himself stated on social media that the raid involved the disabling of power and CCTV cameras. Authorities, however, have denied raiding Wine's home, asserting they were merely restricting access to preempt potential unrest.
The election, while largely peaceful at polling stations, was not entirely devoid of violence. Clashes erupted between police and opposition supporters in various parts of the country, unfortunately leading to casualties. Official reports indicate seven fatalities and three injuries, though an opposition Member of Parliament has claimed that security forces were responsible for the deaths of ten individuals. The government has justified the actions of its security forces by framing some opposition elements as "terrorists."
The use of biometric voter identification machines, which reportedly malfunctioned in several urban centres, necessitated reliance on manual voter lists. The opposition has seized upon this as a prime example of how the system was manipulated to facilitate ballot stuffing and inflate Museveni's vote count. Museveni's continued presidency signifies the entrenchment of his leadership, which began in 1986. However, the disputed nature of this election, coupled with the reported human rights abuses and severe restrictions on digital freedoms, has cast a long shadow over Uganda's democratic credentials.