Voting Delays And Internet Exemptions Mark Early Hours Of Uganda Election
Politics Updated: 15 January 2026 10:45 EAT
Ugandan voters queue to vote as ballot boxes goes missing
Voting was slow to start in parts of Kampala and the border city of Jinja nearly two hours after the official opening time on Thursday, with some polling stations remaining closed past 9:00 a.m. local time. Journalists and local sources reported missing ballot papers and malfunctioning biometric machines, leaving voters waiting without clear explanations.
AFP reported that in central Kampala and Jinja, delays persisted, with residents frustrated by the lack of communication from electoral officials. While some areas opened later, many urban voters were still unable to cast ballots at the scheduled start.
In other parts of the country, authorities attributed late starts to logistical challenges, including delays in transporting election materials. Some districts, however, managed to begin voting despite setbacks.
The delays coincided with a nationwide internet shutdown imposed by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) ahead of the election, drawing criticism from rights groups. The regulator said exemptions were made to ensure essential services and public safety continued during the electoral period.
UCC stated that limited internet access applies to strategic sectors like healthcare, banking, utilities, and tax platforms to prevent disruptions that could threaten public order or emergency response.
These exemptions are restricted to authorized services, while public internet access and social media remain suspended for the duration of the election period.
Authorities justified the shutdown as a measure to curb misinformation and electoral risks, though civil society and regional observers warned it undermines transparency and access to information.
Human rights advocates argued that the internet blackout could impede independent monitoring of the polls and restrict citizens’ ability to verify developments in real time.
UCC and government officials maintained that the measures are temporary and urged the public to cooperate as voting proceeds under the adjusted conditions.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD