Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has urged supporters to turn out and vote as the country heads into a general election on Thursday, following his final campaign rally in the capital, Kampala.
Thousands attended the rally, many dressed in yellow, the colour of Museveni’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
The 81-year-old leader, who has been in power since 1986, is seeking a seventh term in office.
Museveni, one of Africa’s longest-serving presidents, has benefited from constitutional changes that removed presidential age and term limits.
His bid for re-election comes amid criticism over the government’s record on human rights, the suppression of political opponents and corruption.
Despite this, many of his supporters remain loyal. An NRM supporter, Emma Akello praised Museveni’s youth programmes but said the funds often fail to reach those most in need.
“The president has injected a lot of money for the youth,” she said. “But the people in those offices should find better ways of conveying that money to reach the youth, especially the ghetto youth.”
Another supporter, Gloria Ninsiima, said Museveni’s leadership had expanded opportunities for women.
“Ever since Museveni came to power, us women got rescued,” she said. “We were kept in the kitchen, but now we can speak in public.”
In his closing address, Museveni called on supporters to vote and warned that any interference in the electoral process “would be crushed”.
Security has been tightened ahead of the poll. Ugandan authorities have deployed troops and armoured vehicles in parts of Kampala, raising concern among opposition figures.
Museveni’s main challengers, including opposition leader and pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine, have also been campaigning. Wine, who contested the presidency in 2021, has appeared at rallies wearing a flak jacket and helmet, citing security concerns.
The United Nations Human Rights Office has warned that the election is taking place in an atmosphere of repression and intimidation, noting that hundreds of opposition supporters have been detained.
Africanews