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The Independent

What Uganda’s BVVK failures reveal about Biometric elections

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | On January 15, 2026, during the polling day for Uganda’s general elections, biometric voter verification—introduced to safeguard electoral integrity—became a major source of disruption at several polling stations. Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVKs) froze, failed to authenticate voters, or even rejected the identities of polling …

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Uganda Shilling strengthens against Dollar after elections

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda Shilling has continued to strengthen against the US Dollar in recent months, even as the country went through parliamentary and presidential elections last week. By mid-January, the Shilling was trading at about 3,443 Shillings for buying and 3,453.18 Shillings as the official …

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Museveni praises growing Uganda-China ties

KAMPALA, UGANDA | Xinhua | Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said on Wednesday that relations with China have continued to strengthen in recent years and that China’s zero-tariff policy for African countries would help boost Uganda’s exports to the world’s second-largest economy. In a statement issued by the State House, Museveni …

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GULU: Voters protest use of plastic buckets for ballot boxes

Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Polling at Limu Medical Flats Polling Station (OI-LZ) in Laroo-Pece Division, Gulu City, was thrown into chaos on Thursday morning after voters protested the use of transparent plastic buckets instead of the official transparent ballot boxes. The standoff began at about 6:30 a.m. when …

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Voting delays across the country as voters stay away

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Unlike in last week’s presidential and parliamentary elections, where delays were caused by the late arrival of voting materials and malfunctioning Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVKs), today the delays are being caused by voters themselves. Across the country, voting materials arrived at polling stations …

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Muwanga Kivumbi detained, amid post election violence claims

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda Police Force has confirmed the arrest of Butambala County legislator Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi. He is currently in police custody and will be arraigned in court in due course, police said in a brief issued Thursday. Lydia Tumushabe, the Katonga region, confirmed Kivumbi’s …

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Court orders recount in Kalungu West constituency

Masaka, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court has granted an application for a vote recount in the closely contested Kalungu West constituency election. The order raised hopes of resolving the dispute that has left voters and candidates anxious. The Chief Magistrate issued orders for the recount …

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EC keeps voters guessing over Biometric kits ahead of Local Government polls

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda prepares for District and City Local Government elections on Thursday, January 22, 2026, amid lingering doubts over the Electoral Commission’s (EC) controversial Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVKs). The technology, which faltered spectacularly during the January 15 presidential and parliamentary elections, remains under scrutiny …

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Why it is hard to avoid the internet in the world today

Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | When the Government of Uganda shut down internet access for four days during the recent election week, it reignited a national debate about how deeply digital connectivity has become embedded in modern life. Authorities, through the Uganda Communications Commission, justified the decision as necessary to curb …

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