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Electoral Commission head reports intimidation threats
Simon Byabakama, chairman of Uganda's Electoral Commission, revealed on Wednesday that he has received warnings against announcing certain candidates as winners in Thursday's presidential election.
Byabakama stated he would not yield to pressure from unnamed senior government officials, emphasizing that only voter decisions and legal provisions would dictate the outcome.
Controversial video fuels tensions
The remarks followed a widely circulated video in which Yiga Kisakyamukama, a presidential aide responsible for service delivery, asserted that opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi-known as Bobi Wine-would never be declared president, regardless of the election results.
"Don't expect Simon Byabakama to announce Bobi Wine. President Museveni, who holds power, will remain in office. Voting will not remove him-don't waste our time."
Yiga Kisakyamukama, Presidential Assistant
The video, shared by the Daily Monitor last week, intensified concerns over electoral fairness.
Key candidates and electoral context
President Yoweri Museveni, 81, is seeking a seventh term after nearly four decades in power. His primary challenger, Bobi Wine, a 43-year-old musician-turned-politician, previously finished second in the 2021 election.
Six additional candidates are competing for the presidency, with approximately 21.6 million registered voters eligible to participate. Campaigning has been marred by disruptions to opposition events, including arrests of activists and police crackdowns on rallies.
Byabakama reaffirms commitment to legal process
Speaking at the Electoral Commission's headquarters in Kampala, Byabakama dismissed the threats as irrelevant, stating that Uganda's electoral laws-not personal opinions-would determine the winner.
"The law stipulates that the candidate securing over 50% of valid votes becomes president. Voters decide the outcome, and I will announce their choice."
Simon Byabakama, Electoral Commission Chairman
He confirmed that results would be declared within 48 hours of polls closing, as mandated by law.
Security measures and internet restrictions spark concerns
Byabakama addressed fears over a heavy military presence in urban areas, asserting that security forces were deployed solely to maintain order. However, opposition groups have raised alarms about polling stations located on military bases, a claim the commission is investigating.
On Tuesday, authorities suspended internet access and restricted mobile services nationwide, citing risks of misinformation and electoral fraud. The shutdown has amplified accusations of pre-election repression.
Next steps
The Electoral Commission plans to release preliminary results by Saturday (14:00 local time), pending verification of ballots from all 34,684 polling stations.
