The head of Uganda's electoral body says he has received threats warning him against declaring certain presidential candidates the winners of Thursday's election. Simon Byabakama stated he would not be intimidated by such threats from senior state officials, whom he did not name. He pointed to a widely shared video in which a presidential assistant asserted that the electoral commission would not declare opposition candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine, the victor even if he won. Byabakama reinforced that 'I am not in the business of donating votes.'
President Yoweri Museveni, in power for nearly four decades, is seeking a seventh term against main challenger Bobi Wine, who aims to unseat him following his runner-up finish in the 2021 elections. Byabakama stressed that voters will decide the election outcome, stating, 'The law says that the candidate who receives more than 50% plus one of the total valid votes cast is the president of Uganda.'
Concerns about military presence and internet access restrictions have heightened fears about repression as the electoral process unfolds.
President Yoweri Museveni, in power for nearly four decades, is seeking a seventh term against main challenger Bobi Wine, who aims to unseat him following his runner-up finish in the 2021 elections. Byabakama stressed that voters will decide the election outcome, stating, 'The law says that the candidate who receives more than 50% plus one of the total valid votes cast is the president of Uganda.'
Concerns about military presence and internet access restrictions have heightened fears about repression as the electoral process unfolds.
