The head of Uganda's electoral body says he has received threats warning him against declaring certain presidential candidates the winners of Thursday's election.
Simon Byabakama stated he would not be intimidated by such threats from senior state officials, whom he did not name. He responded to a BBC question about a widely shared video showing a presidential assistant claiming that the electoral commission would never declare opposition candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, as president, even if he were to win.
Some people say if you don't declare so-and-so as president, you will see. I tell them that I am not in the business of donating votes, said Byabakama.
President Yoweri Museveni, 81, who has ruled the country for nearly four decades, is seeking a seventh term in office. Bobi Wine, a 43-year-old pop star turned politician, is Museveni's main challenger, seeking to unseat him for the second time after finishing runner-up in the 2021 polls. Six other candidates are also in the race, with around 21.6 million voters registered to vote.
Byabakama said he was not concerned about threats from what he termed idle people, asserting that law and voters will guide the electoral process. He emphasized that the candidate who receives over 50% plus one of the total valid votes cast will be declared president.
Despite internet disruptions and military presence heightening fears of repression, the election chief assures Ugandans that only the will of the voters and the legal process will determine the election outcome.
