Uganda Election Delays Trigger Late Opening At Polling Stations

Thursday 15th January 2026

By inAfrika Newsroom

Uganda election delays disrupted voting across parts of the country on Thursday after polling stations opened late, with reports of missing materials and technical problems affecting voter identification.

In Kampala and surrounding areas, some voters waited for hours as officials worked to resolve delays linked to late deliveries and malfunctioning biometric devices. In several locations, election staff switched to manual, paper-based verification to keep queues moving and reduce the risk of disenfranchisement.

The delays came amid heightened political tension. Uganda’s government imposed an internet shutdown ahead of the vote, a move critics say limits transparency and public scrutiny during a national election. Election authorities urged calm and said voting would proceed, while opposition voices argued that delays and restrictions could suppress turnout in urban areas where support for challengers is stronger.

President Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986, is seeking another term against multiple challengers, including opposition figure Bobi Wine. The campaign period saw heavy security deployments and repeated allegations of intimidation and arrests of opposition supporters.

Election officials said results are expected within the timeframe set by law. However, observers said the operational problems and digital restrictions will shape how the public and international partners assess the credibility of the process.

Next steps for Uganda election delays

The electoral commission is expected to issue incident reports from districts affected by Uganda election delays and clarify how manual verification will be audited in the final tally.

Why it matters

Uganda is a key regional economy and security actor. Therefore, Uganda election delays and an internet shutdown raise governance questions that can affect investor confidence, regional diplomacy, and domestic stability.