Voting in Uganda kicked off at 7 am local time, with over 20 million registered voters set to cast their ballots in an election in which the incumbent, Yoweri Museveni, is seeking another term. The Kenya Times begins its live coverage as Uganda Decides.
The January 15 elections come in the wake of a countrywide internet shutdown, restricting online communication and access to social media during the voting period.
Museveni’s administration has also cracked the whip on civil societies, closing several nongovernmental organisations. His closest challenger is Bobi Wine, after unconstitutionally jailing veteran politician Kizza Besigye.
Uganda has 21,681,491 eligible voters set to participate in the elections, which cover presidential, parliamentary, and local government positions.
Polling stations are open from 4:00 to 13:00 UTC, and the presidential and parliamentary terms are set at 5 years.
The voting system employs the First Past-the-Post (FPTP) system for parliamentary elections and the Two-Round System (TRS) for the presidency. The country’s V-Dem democracy rating is currently 0.27 out of 1, indicating limited democratic practices.
Heavy police presence has been deployed after the internet shutdown in Uganda ahead of the Uganda’s 2026 general elections.
2.24 pm: NUP Deputy President Arrested in Western Uganda
The NUP Deputy President for Western Uganda, Jackline Jolly Tukamushaba, has been arrested along with other party leaders in the region.
The detentions come amid heightened tensions on election day, as opposition figures face increased security crackdowns while voters head to the polls for the 2026 general elections.
1.31 pm: CMP Presidential Candidate Mubarak Munyagwa Casts Vote
Common Man’s Party (CMP) presidential candidate Mubarak Munyagwa has cast his vote at Kawempe, Kikoni.
1.20 pm: Bobi Wine Alleges Ballot Stuffing and Arrests Amid Uganda Elections
Opposition leader Bobi Wine has alleged widespread ballot stuffing and election irregularities across Uganda on polling day.
In a statement shared on his X account, he claimed that internet services were switched off, several opposition leaders and polling agents were arrested or abducted, and others were forced out of polling stations.
He also cited failures of BVVK biometric machines and accused authorities of undermining the credibility of the electoral process.
1.19 pm: Ugandan Military Personnels Vote
Military personnel from Makindye Barracks cast their votes at Mubarak Polling Station, located next to the barracks.
The polling station was set up in the middle of the road to facilitate the voting process, forcing motorists and pedestrians to use alternative routes.
1.11pm: Bobi Wine and Wife Cast Their Votes
NUP Principal and presidential flagbearer Bobi Wine, together with his wife, Barbie Itungo Kyagulanyi, has cast their votes in Magere as Uganda conducts its general elections.
12:54pm: NUP Secretary General David Rubongoya Casts Vote
NUP Secretary General and Kampala Central parliamentary aspirant David Lewis Rubongoya have cast his vote at Tracer Bright Center in Kamokya.
11:45am: Museveni Addresses the Ugandans
After casting his vote, Museveni addressed Ugandans thanking them for turning up and confirmed the biometric technicalities.
In his speech he recalled the previous voting systems and challenges.
“In the last election, the opposition infiltrated about 2.7 million votes. Around 1 million printed on Nkrumah Road and another 1.7 million from Dubai. It is on this basis that the decision was made to adopt biometric voting,” he said.
11:34am: Museveni and First Lady Cast Their Votes
President Yoweri Museveni, alongside the First Lady, Janet Kataaha Museveni, arrive at Karo Primary School polling station in Rwakitura, Kiruhura District, western Uganda, to cast their votes as Museveni seeks another term in office.
The NRM (the National Resistance Army, or NRA) Party leader cast his vote successfully.
Their arrival signals the start of voting at the station, with millions of Ugandans participating in the 2026 general elections.
11:15 am: Uganda Electoral Commission Issues Statement After System Glitch
The Uganda Electoral Commission Chairperson, Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, has issued a statement following a technical glitch that affected some biometric machines at polling stations ordering manual voting to proceed.
The commission confirmed that all registered voters at the affected stations will be given the opportunity to cast their votes, ensuring that the electoral process remains inclusive and that no eligible voter is disenfranchised.
“”Polling stations will remain open until all registered voters in the queue by 4:00 pm have cast their votes,” he said.
Election officials have directed polling to continue, with measures in place to manage delays and maintain order as voting proceeds across the country.
9:00 am: Biometric Glitch
Some biometric machines reportedly failed to work at several polling stations in Uganda, causing delays as voters queued to cast their ballots.
Election officials are working to resolve the technical issues to ensure a smooth voting process across the country.
8:43 am: Commonwealth Statement
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey, has expressed concern over restrictions on freedoms of expression, assembly, and association in Uganda ahead of the general elections.
8:00am: Polling Stations
Most polling stations are fully prepared, others still awaiting the first 10 voters to begin casting their ballots.
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Amid the Internet closure and other uncalled for acts by the NRA government,We just hope and pray that democracy will prevail,and the will of the voters will be honoured and realised..