Today Ugandans are at the polls electing their next government. The incumbent President, 71-year-old Yoweri Museveni is seeking to secure another term, after his 30 consecutive years as Uganda’s President.
The 2016 Ugandan Presidential election race has been described as the tightest race in the history of that country. Emerging reports indicate the voting has been cancelled in one of the polling station in Uganda’s capital Kampala; following clashes with the police.
It is also being reported that Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and even mobile money services have been shut down across Uganda. The voting process in itself is being said to be plagued by delays.
According to the local media in Uganda; the Head of Uganda’s media regulator, Godfrey Mutabazi said the electoral commission requested the social media shutdown to stop voter bribery through the platform.
MTN Uganda (a mobile service carrier) has also confirmed that it received an order instructing them to shut down social media services.
However, innovative Ugandans are finding workarounds the social media shut down through Virtual Private Network (VPN), and the hashtag #UgandaDecides is still trending.
To good Ugandans: This should work for guys on Android, it bypasses the IP blockade https://t.co/Rk7Iu273r4#UgandaDecides
— Charles Onyango-Obbo (@cobbo3) February 18, 2016
As late as 11:33am EAT some Ugandans ‘still waiting to decide’ due to delay in arrival of voting material #UgandaDecides
— Joy Doreen BIIRA (@JoyDoreenBiira) February 18, 2016
Less than 5km from the head office of @ugandaec and no ballot materials have arrived at Mutundwe. People walking out. #ugandadecides
— Juliet Nanfuka (@ChewingStones) February 18, 2016
Ugandan opposition leader says vote will not be free or fair #UgandaDecides https://t.co/dx2qOzYOiQ pic.twitter.com/e6hWghety1
— Reuters Africa (@ReutersAfrica) February 16, 2016
That awkward moment Kizza Besigye is busy campaigning and getting arrested while Museveni is busy drafting his new Cabinet #UgandaDecides
— Xtian Dela (@xtiandela) February 15, 2016
In Kenya, a new hashtag has begun trending #MuseveniDecides, with users ridiculing Museveni on his definition of a free and fair election.
#MuseveniDecides whoever drafted this please continue, kazi bado iko pic.twitter.com/DmEWlj9kaQ
— Edgar Toshville (@Madridude) February 18, 2016
Editorial cartoon for @TheStarKenya #MuseveniDecides Enough said…. pic.twitter.com/oAhlwIK2C9
— VICTOR NDULA (@ndula_victor) February 18, 2016
One does not simply… #UgandaDecides #MuseveniDecides #30YearsBruh #Cmon #GiveOtherKidsAChance pic.twitter.com/rgeHNe70VW
— Tefo (@TefoMohapi) February 18, 2016
Museveni never come into power through a democratic process and therefore cannot leave power through a democratic process. #MuseveniDecides
— wasonga (@n_wasonga) February 18, 2016
#MuseveniDecides He is already drafting his cabinet because he knows who counts pic.twitter.com/VmxywvyPFW
— Jackson Arunga (@JacksonArunga) February 18, 2016
