By Maryjane Austine
Uganda Poll Chief Raises Alarm Over Election Threats
The chief of Uganda’s Electoral Commission, Simon Byabakama, has disclosed that he has received threats warning him against declaring certain candidates winners in Thursday’s presidential election, insisting that he will not be swayed by pressure or intimidation.
Byabakama made the remarks while responding to questions on a viral video suggesting that opposition candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, would never be declared president, regardless of the election outcome. He said the threats were allegedly coming from senior government figures, though he did not mention names.
According to the electoral chief, attempts to influence the commission’s work would not succeed, stressing that election results would strictly reflect the votes cast by Ugandans in line with the law.
President Yoweri Museveni, 81, who has been in power for nearly 40 years, is contesting for a seventh term. His main challenger is Bobi Wine, a 43-year-old musician-turned-politician, who is seeking to unseat him for the second time after coming second in the 2021 election. Six other candidates are also in the race, with about 21.6 million registered voters expected to participate.
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The election has taken place amid heightened political tension, with opposition parties complaining of harassment, arrests of supporters and disruptions of campaign activities by security agencies.
Speaking at the commission’s headquarters in Kampala, Byabakama dismissed the threats as inconsequential, saying only the will of the electorate and the provisions of the law would guide the declaration of results.
He explained that Ugandan law clearly states that any candidate who secures more than 50 per cent plus one of the valid votes cast must be declared president, adding that the commission’s duty is to announce what voters decide.
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The comments followed the circulation of a video in which a presidential aide, Yiga Kisakyamukama, was heard claiming that Museveni would not relinquish power through elections and that the electoral commission would not announce Bobi Wine as winner.
Byabakama, however, maintained that personal opinions or political statements would not override the legal framework governing elections. He said results would be announced within 48 hours after the close of polls, as required by law.
Addressing concerns over a heavy military presence across the country, the electoral chief said security forces were deployed to maintain peace and should not intimidate voters. He also confirmed that the commission was investigating reports that some polling units were located within military facilities.
The election has also been overshadowed by a nationwide internet shutdown imposed earlier in the week, which authorities said was aimed at preventing misinformation and electoral malpractice. The move has drawn criticism from opposition groups and international observers, including the United Nations human rights office, which described it as deeply worrying.