Kampala Streets Run Empty As People Run to Villages Ahead of Elections

Posted on January 13, 2021
By Sean Musa Carter
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Some Ugandans have left Kampala to vote in the home regions in their villages while as others have simply gone away to hide from the predicted "Bloodshed" as the tense presidential and parliamentary elections are due tomorrow (January 14).

“According to the past elections we’ve always had chaos within Kampala, around Kampala. And I think this time it will be a lot of pressure that we have right now. There might be a lot of violence,” said Charles Abigaba, an accountant who was heading on the bus out of Kampala.

In November, the arrest of Bobi Wine sparked protests, which led to deadly clashes with security forces, killing more than 50 people.

“Since this campaign has been (on) everyone is worried. Everyone is worried,” said driver Andrew Kiiza.

The vote will pit President Museveni, who had been in power since 1986, against Bobi Wine Wine, who is the opposition frontrunner who has urged supporters to turn out in large numbers and to “protect” the election from rigging, accusing the ruling party of trying to intimidate voters.

“Before we go to the election we already know there is rigging, vote-rigging,” said Abigaba.

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