Election Turmoil Hits Uganda

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Political violence, an internet blackout and allegations of voter suppression have taken place in Uganda. Marred by pre-election violence, opposition leader Robert Kyagulani’s - known by his stage name as Bobi Wine - campaign was obstructed by teargas, live bullets and arrests. President Yoweri Museveni won the election with 59% of the vote to Bobi Wine’s 35%. Voter turnout was relatively low at 57%. 

Yoweri Museveni celebrates. (BBC)

Election irregularities, politically motivated arrests and the social media shutdown have all contributed to international figures and the opposition party questioning the election result. It is widely understood that Wine has video evidence of voter fraud but cannot make them public due to the blackout. Speaking at a news conference Mathias Mpuuga, a member of Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) said: “We have evidence of ballot stuffing and other forms of election malpractice and after putting it together we are going to take all measures that the law permits to challenge this fraud.”

Teargas used on protesters (Abubaker Lubowa | Reuters)

Instead of direct intervention, the world has chosen to keep its distance. The African Elections Watch group deployed over 2,000 Ugandan observers who reported irregularities. No international body other than the African Union witnessed the electoral process. Between 2006-2016, the European Union has observed previous elections, however, they announced they would not do so this year, citing the pandemic and lack of invitation as their reason. 

Analyst Fred Muhumuza said minimal indication towards the NUP’s foreign policy is what has kept the West at bay.  “They have not really put out what could be their foreign policy, what is going to be their security policy. They seem to be riding the sentiments of the youth about jobs, economic opportunities, human rights. But the global public is looking at many other dimensions. And I think Museveni still has an edge over his competitors there as far as foreign powers are concerned,” he said.

Prior to the election, Uganda saw the worst political violence for decades with over fifty shot dead by the police. During Wine’s campaign trail, military police shot directly into the leader’s car, fatally ran over his bodyguard and detained him several times. As a result, Wine’s ability to lead a successful campaign was deeply fractured by conflict enacted by security forces.

Bobby Wine protesting (Isaac Kasamani | AFP | Getty Images)

Wine said, “The campaign is crazy. It’s like a war and a battlefield. Every day, we are met with heavily armed military officers. It’s always teargas and grenades, live bullets and beatings. I’m afraid and concerned every day. I fear for my life and the lives of my comrades in the struggle. The regime is after our lives. It’s after hurting and incapacitating us every day we live as if it’s the last one.”

Shortly before election day, Museveni shut down the internet following a social media blackout. It’s possible Facebook’s closure of several Ugandan accounts sparked the decision. Ugandan Government Press Secretary, Don Wanyama, said the platform was being “dictatorial”. In response, the social media site reported their decision was based on an investigation that uncovered pro-government accounts were involved in a coordinated effort to limit political debate.

After describing the election as the “most fraudulent in Uganda’s history”, Wine’s premises were surrounded by armed police and placed under house arrest. Party members, journalists and legislators have all been stopped from entering by blockades. However, a spokesman for the army said that they were preventing him from leaving for his own safety.

Police patrolling Wine’s premises. (Sally Hayden | SOPA Images | AP Images)

“A democratic playing field for free and fair elections was worryingly absent during these elections. Instead of restricting free expression, movement, and assembly, the Ugandan government should take concrete steps to improve respect for human rights for all and remove all remaining restrictions,” said Oryem Nyeko, Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch.

The integrity of the Ugandan election should be reviewed and the result vilified by witnesses and an international observatory body. As singer-turned-politician Bobi Wine and his family sit under house arrest, Museveni becomes further estranged from the young people of his country and the democratic process.