There are also concerns about poor infrastructure and disparities in access to quality education and healthcare.
During the campaign period, opposition supporters have faced escalating harassment, including arrest on politically motivated charges, according to both the United Nations and Amnesty International.
Wine’s rallies, unlike those of Museveni, have been disrupted by security forces.
Amnesty has described the use of tear gas, pepper spray, beatings and other violent acts as “a brutal campaign of repression” ahead of the vote.
In addition, the head of Uganda’s electoral body told the BBC he has received threats warning him against declaring certain results.
The 2021 elections were also characterised by violence – dozens of people were killed in protests and the security forces were responsible for at least some of these deaths, a BBC investigation found.
Since Saturday, security has been heightened in Kampala, Uganda’s capital city.
Officers have been marching in formation and conducting patrols, while armoured vehicles have been stationed at various locations.
Some Kampala residents have travelled to rural areas, saying they believe it is safer there during the election period.
“Because Ugandan elections are often violent, I decided to re-register my polling centre in my home village,” one man told the BBC. He wished to remain anonymous.
“I’m glad I made that decision, because as you can see now, there is a heavy and intimidating security presence in the city. So while I will still vote in my village, I am also staying away from this security scare.”
