1m first-time voters blocked in Uganda

Uganda’s National Electoral Commission says around 1m first-time voters who have recently turned 18 will not be able to vote in the 2021 general election.

The reason, they say, is that there is not enough time to register them as they are too busy rolling out the electoral process for the vote.

The news sparked outrage amongst parliamentarians. 

Parliament’s speaker, Rebecca Kadaga, said “There is no excuse, our position as a house is clear. We shall not be party to any attempt to disenfranchise Uganda”.

Uganda has one of the world’s youngest populations, some 77% of which are under the age of 25.

Political observers believe this latest news could be taken as a move against the prospects of singer-turned-politician Bobi Wine, who has announced he will run against President Museveni next year.

Godber Tumushabe, from the Great Lakes Institute for Strategic Studies, said it is clear this is designed to create uncertainty.

“Shifting dates, not being able to determine who gets to vote and blocking eligible voters makes an electoral process unpredictable”, Tumushabe said.

“When there is no predictability, you have voter suppression, and we have seen it from every dictatorship in the region: a low voter turnout benefits the incumbent”.

According to Tumushabe, “Young people are excited about Bobi Wine and are interested in change. But we have an electoral process that is rigged in all dimensions, and young people need to see that elections are not a pathway to change or a different future”.

Photo: Picture-Alliance/DPA