Uganda’s military deployed in national capital before presidential election

Uganda Braces for Critical Election as Military Deploys in Capital

As Uganda approaches its presidential election on Thursday, tensions are rising across the nation of 45 million people. President Yoweri Museveni and his political rivals held their final rallies on Tuesday amid growing concerns over the government’s deployment of soldiers throughout Kampala’s streets.

The Uganda Communications Commission has directed mobile internet providers to temporarily suspend services, citing concerns about misinformation, electoral fraud, and potential violence. Internet services will remain suspended until further notice from the commission, significantly impacting communication during this critical period.

Museveni, 81, who ranks as Africa’s third-longest governing president, is seeking a seventh term that would extend his time in office into a fifth decade. His primary challenger is 43-year-old Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, better known by his stage name Bobi Wine, alongside six other presidential candidates vying for leadership in this East African nation.

Military spokesman Col. Chris Magezi defended the troop deployments that began Saturday, stating they are meant to deter violence rather than suppress democratic processes. “No cause for alarm,” Magezi insisted. “However, we do not take threats of violence during the election period by some political actors and their supporters lightly.”

The election reprises the rivalry from 2021 when Wine’s bold leadership bid attracted substantial support, particularly among young urban voters. Despite facing intimidation and violence, Wine secured 35% of votes against Museveni’s 58% in that election – the president’s smallest vote share since his first campaign three decades ago.

Wine’s prominence has continued to grow. During this campaign, he has held enthusiastic rallies while wearing protective gear – a flak jacket and helmet – which he claims is necessary protection against potential attacks from security forces. In recent interviews, Wine has alleged that he and his supporters have faced attacks involving tear gas and sometimes bullets, claims that Amnesty International has echoed.

Museveni, who maintains loyal support across northern Uganda and his western home region, has repeatedly spoken disparagingly of Wine, characterizing him as unpatriotic and an agent of foreign interests – accusations Wine firmly denies.

Many observers note that the president’s National Resistance Movement party representatives have suggested Museveni would not relinquish power to Wine even if the challenger won the election. The incumbent’s campaign slogan of “protecting the gains” has been interpreted by critics as suggesting power is non-negotiable, while others see it as a reminder of the stability Museveni claims to have brought to Uganda.

“I was born when Museveni was in power,” said 37-year-old Farouk Mugaya, a motorcycle taxi operator in Kampala. “They have had enough time to protect the gains. I want to see change.” Despite his skepticism about the outcome, Mugaya plans to vote in his hometown of Iganga in eastern Uganda. “I don’t want to say they rigged the vote when I was just there and didn’t vote. I want to say they stole the vote when I also voted.”

Unemployment remains a major concern for voters seeking change. Denis Oraku, a mason working at a construction site outside Kampala, expressed this sentiment clearly: “Uganda is very hard. Getting money is not easy. We have no jobs.”

Museveni first took power by force as a guerrilla army leader fighting to restore democratic rule after the civil war and dictatorship of Idi Amin. Since 1996, he has won six elections, though nearly all have been marred by allegations of rigging and security force interference.

Critics suggest that removing Museveni through elections remains challenging, and the aging president’s authority increasingly depends on the military led by his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba. As a four-star general, Kainerugaba has sparked controversy with social media posts widely regarded as offensive, including comments about invading neighboring Kenya and an offer of cattle as dowry to wed the Italian prime minister. He has also publicly stated his expectation to succeed his father as president, raising concerns about family rule undermining democracy.

Political analyst Robert Kabushenga recently noted on a popular podcast: “Time is not on his side. For the first time he is actually, really an outsider. Why? Because he doesn’t represent the future.”

With 21.6 million registered voters and the Brussels-based International Crisis Group predicting Museveni “will likely retain power,” the nation waits anxiously to see whether this election will mark a continuation of Museveni’s decades-long rule or signal the beginning of a new era in Ugandan politics.