Uganda Poll Stations Lack Ballots, Open Late

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Uganda Poll Stations Lack Ballots, Open Late

11:10 CAT | 18 Feb 2016

VOA / Poll workers preparing for voters to come inside at Mulago polling station in Kampala, Uganda, Feb. 18, 2016.

Polls have opened in Uganda’s presidential and parliamentary elections, but voters are facing long lines and delayed openings at some polling stations Thursday because of late ballot deliveries.

VOA’s Jill Craig reports from Kampala that at least five polling stations were still waiting for delivery of ballot papers Thursday, nearly hour after polls were to have opened.

Makerere University education student Ivan Ssebuliba said “If this is happening in Kampala, so close to the Electoral Commission, what is going on in the villages?”

Eight candidates are competing for the presidency, with incumbent Yoweri Museveni and challenger Kizza Besigye considered the top contenders.

Besigye has challenged Museveni unsuccessfully three times before, and each time, opposition supporters have accused the president’s supporters of rigging the vote and intimidating opponents.

Some voters say their priority is peace and stability for Uganda, while others hope for change and a new regime. Voters also say they are concerned about employment opportunities, especially for young people; and health care and education.

More than 15 million people are registered to vote in Uganda. Security forces are enforcing tight security, as voters face some long wait times to cast their votes.

Museveni has been in power since 1986, the end of Uganda’s five-year civil war.

Source: VOA