Polls have opened in Uganda's presidential and parliamentary election, though voting has been disrupted by widespread logistical delays across the country amid an internet shutdown.
At 08:00 local time (05:00 GMT), the BBC observed that things had yet to get going at five polling stations in the capital, Kampala, an hour after voting was due to start.
The delays have been blamed on failures of biometric identification kits, which some have linked to the network outage.
In the presidential race, Yoweri Museveni, 81, who has ruled the country for nearly four decades, is seeking a seventh successive election victory as he faces a challenge from a charismatic pop star.
Where voting has been taking place, there are reports that the biometric machines used to verify voters' identities are still malfunctioning in some areas.
An official from the ruling party stated, Some biometric machines are not working. I don't know if it's the internet. Meanwhile, there have also been issues with polling materials arriving late.
The election is critical for over 21 million registered voters in a country where youth unemployment and governance are pressing issues. President Museveni has faced increasing opposition from Bobi Wine, who advocates for reforms amidst claims of electoral fraud and violence against opposition supporters.
The internet blackout, put in place to curb misinformation, has been condemned by international observers, highlighting concerns about the electoral process's integrity.
As voting proceeds, the country remains on high alert with a heavy police presence, underscoring the tense atmosphere surrounding this year's pivotal election.
