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Uganda election: Apology over voting delays Uganda election: Facebook and Whatsapp blocked
(about 2 hours later)
Uganda's electoral commission has apologised over delays in opening polling stations as people queue to vote in crucial presidential elections. Social media has been blocked in Uganda because of security concerns as tightly contested presidential elections are held, officials say.
Difficulties in transporting electoral materials caused the delays, it said. Mobile money services had also been shut to make sure they would not be used to bribe voters, they added.
However, many users have found a way around the controversial restrictions.
President Yoweri Museveni, 71, is seeking to extend his 30-year rule, in a race widely seen as the tightest in the East African state's history.President Yoweri Museveni, 71, is seeking to extend his 30-year rule, in a race widely seen as the tightest in the East African state's history.
Seven opposition candidates are running against him. His main challenger is his former physician, Kizza Besigye. His main challenger is his former physician, Kizza Besigye.
Mr Besigye has said he does not think the election will be free and fair. He has said he does not think the election will be free and fair.
Former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi is also seen as a leading contender for the presidency.
Uganda decides: Live updatesUganda decides: Live updates
Uganda's election explainedUganda's election explained
Former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi is also seen as a leading contender for the presidency. Mr Mbabazi has tweeted on how to get around the internet restrictions:
Almost five hours after the vote was meant to begin, the electoral commission issued a statement acknowledging that some polling stations had not yet opened. The head of Uganda's media regulator, Godfrey Mutabazi, said the block was introduced after a request from the electoral commission, local media reports.
Uganda's leading mobile operator MTN, which has 10 million users, confirmed that it had received an order to shut down social media services, which include WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter.
Despite the attempt to restrict the use of social media, #UgandaDecides is still trending on Twitter.
The election has been marred by delays of up to five hours at some polling stations.
The electoral commission said difficulties in transporting electoral materials caused the delays.
It added that despite the delays, voting will not be extended.It added that despite the delays, voting will not be extended.
The BBC's Catherine Byaruhanga reports from the capital, Kampala, that thousands of people who had queued for hours got visibly frustrated over the delays. The BBC's Catherine Byaruhanga in the capital, Kampala, reports that thousands of people who had queued for hours got visibly frustrated over the delays.
Security forces were sent in to calm the situation, she adds.Security forces were sent in to calm the situation, she adds.
A candidate needs to secure more than 50% of the vote to win outright and avoid a run-off with the second-ranked contender.A candidate needs to secure more than 50% of the vote to win outright and avoid a run-off with the second-ranked contender.
Ugandans are also voting in parliamentary and local elections.Ugandans are also voting in parliamentary and local elections.
Major presidential contenders:
Uganda election: Issues, candidates and the poll
Uganda election: Old guard tries new tactics
Human rights groups have reported an intensifying government crackdown on opposition leaders, their supporters and the media during the election campaign.Human rights groups have reported an intensifying government crackdown on opposition leaders, their supporters and the media during the election campaign.
One person was killed on Monday in clashes between Mr Besigye's supporters and the security forces in the capital, Kampala.One person was killed on Monday in clashes between Mr Besigye's supporters and the security forces in the capital, Kampala.
Mr Museveni has been in office since winning a five-year guerrilla war in 1986, and he is one of Africa's longest-serving leaders.Mr Museveni has been in office since winning a five-year guerrilla war in 1986, and he is one of Africa's longest-serving leaders.
His final term was meant to end in 2006, but in 2005 he won a campaign to lift the constitutional term limits.His final term was meant to end in 2006, but in 2005 he won a campaign to lift the constitutional term limits.
Mr Besigye has unsuccessfully challenged his former comrade-in-arms in the last three presidential electionsMr Besigye has unsuccessfully challenged his former comrade-in-arms in the last three presidential elections
Mr Mbabazi is another former ally of President Museveni. He served as prime minister in 2011-2014, when he was dismissed after announcing he would launch a rival presidential bid.Mr Mbabazi is another former ally of President Museveni. He served as prime minister in 2011-2014, when he was dismissed after announcing he would launch a rival presidential bid.
During the election campaign the two opposition candidates accused the president of corruption and criticised his economic policies.During the election campaign the two opposition candidates accused the president of corruption and criticised his economic policies.
Mr Museveni dismissed the allegations as fiction.Mr Museveni dismissed the allegations as fiction.
Major issues for voters also include persistently high unemployment and poor quality of public services.Major issues for voters also include persistently high unemployment and poor quality of public services.