Uganda goes to the polls on Thursday, which will see incumbent, Yoweri Museveni, go up against popular musician, Robert Kyagulanyi, better known as Bobi Wine.
Museveni has governed Uganda since 1986, when he overthrew Milton Obote.
Thursday’s election will also see Ugandans elect a new Parliament.
Museveni and Bobi Wine are not the only two candidates for President, with nine other people seeking Uganda’s top post.
The election campaign has been marred by violence, primarily from government forces, with Bobi Wine campaign events allegedly being targeted. Officials have claimed that his rallies contravene curbs out in place to help combat the Covid-19 pandemic. Wine has also been arrested twice during the campaign with authorities claiming this is to do with his contravening of Covid-19 restrictions. His first arrest led to protests by his supporters which saw a number of his supporters killed (estimates vary from different sources regarding the death toll which could be as high as 50 people).
Bobi Wine, who is running on the ticket of the National Unity Platform, grew up in a Kampala slum and is popular with young Ugandans (80% of Ugandans are younger than 30). However, analysts have stated that Museveni’s control of the apparatus of the state makes it extraordinarily difficult for him to be challenged at the polls, although Wine’s campaign is the first serious electoral challenge Museveni has faced.
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