Uganda’s Electoral Commission Chairman Simon Byabakama has publicly denounced intimidation attempts from senior government officials seeking to influence the outcome of Thursday’s presidential election. The electoral head confirmed receiving direct threats warning him against declaring certain candidates as winners, though he declined to identify the officials involved.
Byabakama’s statements came in response to a viral video featuring Presidential Assistant Yiga Kisakyamukama, who explicitly stated that the electoral body would never announce opposition leader Bobi Wine as president regardless of actual vote results. “Some people say if you don’t declare so-and-so as president, you will see. I tell them that I am not in the business of donating votes,” Byabakama asserted during a press conference at the commission’s Kampala headquarters.
The electoral chairman emphasized his commitment to legal procedures, stating that only the will of voters would determine the election outcome. “The law says that the candidate who receives more than 50% plus one of the total valid votes cast is the president of Uganda. It is the voters who determine how many votes a candidate gets,” he explained, adding that results would be declared within 48 hours after polls close.
This election pits 81-year-old President Yoweri Museveni, seeking his seventh term after nearly four decades in power, against main challenger Bobi Wine—a 43-year-old pop star-turned-politician who finished runner-up in the 2021 polls. Six other candidates are competing for the presidency, with approximately 21.6 million registered voters eligible to participate.
The electoral process has been marred by significant tensions, including the disruption of opposition campaigns, detention of activists, and violent break-ups of rallies by police. Byabakama addressed concerns about the heavy military presence in urban areas, stating security forces were deployed to maintain peace but should not intimidate voters. He also acknowledged investigating reports of polling stations being established within military premises.
Adding to the pre-election tensions, Ugandan authorities implemented nationwide internet restrictions and limited mobile services on Tuesday, citing the need to curb “misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and related risks.” This network outage has raised additional concerns about potential repression during the critical voting period.