Museveni is expected to fend off a challenge from the popular singer, Bobi Wine, but the vote will be a test of the 81-year-old leader’s political strength and ability to avoid the kind of unrest that has rocked neighbours Tanzania and Kenya.
The longtime leader has campaigned on a slogan of “protecting the gains”, vowing to maintain peace and lift the country into middle-income status. Wine, a 43-year-old pop star nicknamed the “Ghetto President” for his humble origins, has promised to end what he calls Museveni’s “dictatorship” and has appealed to young people angry about scarce economic opportunities. More than 70% of Uganda’s population is under the age of 30.
Security forces have repeatedly opened fire at Wine’s campaign events, killing at least one person, and have arrested hundreds of his supporters. Museveni’s government has defended the security forces’ actions as a justified response to what it called lawless conduct by opposition supporters. The military has deployed heavily on the streets of the capital Kampala and authorities cut internet access and limited mobile access across the country on Tuesday to curb what they called “misinformation” about the vote.
The United Nations Human Rights Office said last week that the elections were taking place amid “widespread repression and intimidation”.
Besides Wine, six other opposition candidates are challenging Museveni, Africa’s third-longest-ruling head of state. Voters will also choose more than 500 members of parliament.
–Reuters–
