Uganda’s President, Yoweri Museveni, has called on voters to participate actively in the country’s general elections scheduled for Thursday, emphasising the importance of peaceful engagement in choosing national leadership. Museveni made the appeal during a final campaign rally in Kampala, where thousands of supporters gathered ahead of the contest that will determine both the presidency and the composition of Parliament.
Museveni, who has led Uganda since 1986 and is seeking a seventh term in office, urged citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote and contribute to the nation’s democratic process. The event marked the culmination of a three-month election campaign season, with voters across about 21.6 million registered expected at polling stations to cast ballots for presidential and legislative candidates.
While Museveni’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) projects confidence and a strong base of support, opposition figures including musician-turned-politician Bobi Wine have also held rallies urging voter turnout and political change, particularly among Uganda’s large youth population. Observers note that high participation rates could influence outcomes in a contest where tensions and debates over political freedoms have been intense.
The president’s remarks come amid a tense pre-election climate marked by heavy security deployments and restrictions, including troop patrols in major urban centres and temporary internet shutdowns. These measures have sparked criticism from rights groups and opposition parties, who argue that they could suppress civic engagement and undermine electoral transparency.
