Ugandans go to the ballot today to elect a new president in a vote that is widely expected to be a tight race between long serving leader Yoweri Museveni and Kizza Besigye.
Other than the two, the presidential race attracted 6 other contestants, including Museveni’s former personal advisor Amama Mbabazi and the country’s only female presidential contestant Faith Maureen Kyalya Walube.
Museveni is widely tipped to emerge victorious in the poll, though many predict that Besigye has amassed more votes now than he did in the last election when he garnered 26% compared to Museveni’s 68%.
Voting is already ongoing in polling stations spread across the country, and Ugandans are using social media to rally their fellow citizens to take part in the exercise.
Some of those who have already cast their ballots have posted pictures of their inked thumbs to show that they have voted. Under the hashtag #iVoted, they are urging those who have not cast their votes to do so in time.
Here is a sample of some of the twitter posts;
The wait was long but worth it… #IVoted! To those still waiting in the cues..take heart #UgandaDecides pic.twitter.com/RBDcFJsY1c
— Michael Niyitegeka (@niyimic) February 18, 2016
#iVoted and am proud I did. #UgandaDecides
— mugumya (@mugumya) February 18, 2016
#IVoted today, for the very first time. Every vote counts! #UgandaDecides. pic.twitter.com/S0p1xgnPHd
— Sheila (@SheilaKulubya) February 18, 2016
We voted. @Papashotit & I showing off our ink. #ivoted did you? #UgandaDecides pic.twitter.com/Cizs15th7Y
— Evelyn Namara (@enamara) February 18, 2016
After 3 hours wait, I finally made my first choice for the next 5 years #Ivoted #Ugandadecides pic.twitter.com/SWAZTZnNtP
— Richard Zulu (@richardzulu) February 18, 2016
https://twitter.com/enamara/status/700228148160548864
