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Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
World
RFI

Uganda votes under internet blackout and police crackdown

Yoweri Museveni Uganda Police Internet Bobi Wine Kampala United States
A woman uses a mobile phone as she walks past campaign posters of Yoweri Museveni, Uganda's President and presidential candidate, ahead of polls in Kampala on 14 January 2026. © Thomas Mukoya / REUTERS

Uganda was on edge as polls opened on Thursday, with President Yoweri Museveni expected to extend his 40-year rule amid an internet shutdown and a police crackdown on the opposition.

Polling stations were slow to open, as normal in Uganda, but voting was underway shortly after 7am local time in at least one Kampala suburb.

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