• Polling in Uganda sees delays and technical issues amid an internet blackout.
• President Yoweri Museveni faces strong opposition from musician-turned-politician Bobi Wine.
• Approximately 21 million Ugandans are eligible to vote with results expected in 48 hours.
• The election period has been marked by allegations of repression and limitations on opposition activities.
• Security forces maintain a heavy presence to ensure order amid rising tensions.

Voting in Uganda's presidential election commenced on Thursday under a significant internet blackout and with reports of long delays due to technical problems at polling stations. The government cited the shutdown as a measure to combat misinformation and maintain public order, a justification criticized by various rights organizations, including the UN human rights office, as "deeply worrying" according to BBC and Africanews.

President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled since 1986 and is vying for a seventh term, faced multiple challengers, most notably opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine. The election day was marked by technical failures where biometric machines failed to verify voters, leading to complaints from voters and accusations from Wine that these issues were part of a plan to facilitate electoral fraud. Museveni himself experienced problems with the voting process, claiming a need to switch to manual methods in some areas, as explained by Africanews and AA.

The election's atmosphere was tense, highlighted by the significant police presence and allegations of government officials repressing opposition activities. Reports indicated that over a hundred opposition supporters had been detained before the election day, aligning with Wine's assertion that the government was undermining democratic processes. This crackdown has raised alarms from international observers regarding the safety and integrity of the electoral process, as noted by Africanews and BBC.

Polling began at 7 am local time but experienced delays due to logistical issues, with some stations remaining closed for hours, leading to frustrations among voters who were already concerned about the fairness of the voting system. Many citizens, despite these challenges, formed long lines as they awaited their chance to vote, echoing worries articulated by the electorate about the impact of the internet blackout on their ability to communicate and organize, according to Africanews and AA.

Votes were expected to be counted and preliminary results released within 48 hours, as emphasized by Election Commission chairperson Simon Byabakama, who assured that the will of the people would ultimately determine the outcome. As the counting begins, the situation remains volatile, with calls for peaceful protests from Wine's supporters should irregularities arise, a sentiment reinforced by Africanews and AA.