Uganda Presidential Election: Internet shutdown and military deployment ahead of vote

This is because the internet has been shut down ahead of the polling on Thursday (January 15), and citizens are facing a heavy military presence on the streets. This is raising concerns among the opposition.

Post Published By: Sujata Biswal

Updated : 14 January 2026, 4:10 PM IST

Kampala: Uganda is holding its presidential election, but ensuring a fair vote appears to be a major challenge. This is because the internet has been shut down ahead of the polling on Thursday (January 15), and citizens are facing a heavy military presence on the streets.

This is raising concerns among the opposition. In this election, opposition leader Bobi Wine and President Yoweri Museveni are once again facing off.

Ugandans are preparing to cast their votes in the presidential election, which will likely extend the long-serving president's term, while raising concerns about transparency, dynastic rule, military interference, and the opposition's strategies to prevent vote rigging at polling stations.

President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, is seeking his seventh term, which would bring him closer to completing five decades in power.

However, he faces a strong challenge from 43-year-old Bobi Wine, a musician turned politician, who represents those yearning for political change.