BVVK machines disrupt voting in Rubaga North
Voters demanded to know why a second biometric machine, which government officials had promised as a backup, was not immediately available.
By 6:20am, long before polling officially began, men and women of all ages had converged at various centres, determined to take part in choosing their next leaders. For many, it felt like a civic duty worth waking up early for. (Credit: Lawrenec Mulondo)
Katongole Singh, the aspiring Member of Parliament for Rubaga North on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party ticket casting his vote at Makamba polling station in Lungujja a Kampala city suburb. This was during the presidential and parliamentary elections on January 15, 2026. (All Photos by Lawrence Mulondo) Abubaker Kawalya, the incumbent and aspiring Member of Parliament for Rubaga North on the National Unity Platform (NUP) party ticket voting at Mugema polling station during the presidential and parliamentary elections on January 15, 2026. A polling agent interacting with election observers at Masiro compound polling centre during the presidential and parliamentary elections on January 15, 2026. Polling agents clearing some of the voters at Masiro compound polling centre at Kasubi Rubaga North to cast their votes. This was during the presidential and parliamentary elections on January 15, 2026. Some of the residents of Lungujja in Rubaga North constituency casting their votes at Makamba polling station during the presidential and parliamentary elections on January 15, 2026.
KAMPALA - The sun had barely risen over Rubaga North constituency when voters began streaming into polling centres, hope written on their faces and national identity cards clutched tightly in their hands.
By 6:20am, long before polling officially began, men and women of all ages had converged at various centres, determined to take part in choosing their next leaders. For many, it felt like a civic duty worth waking up early for.
At Younger Playground polling centre, polling agents led by one identified as Atwiine arrived as early as 7am with the voting materials.
Their arrival initially reassured voters who had waited patiently in orderly lines. Ten witnesses, all registered voters, were invited to observe the safety and verification of the materials, including sealed ballot boxes, ballot papers and indelible ink.
The process unfolded calmly, and for a brief moment, confidence in the exercise was restored.
Hope turns to frustration
The mood changed abruptly at around 8am when a polling assistant switched on the biometric voter verification machine.
One by one, voters stepped forward, presenting their National Identification cards, only for the machine to fail repeatedly.
The barcodes could not be scanned. Murmurs of confusion grew into open frustration as time passed with no solution in sight.
Voters demanded to know why a second biometric machine, which government officials had promised as a backup, was not immediately available.
Polling agents, maintaining a polite and apologetic tone, explained that a standby machine would be delivered by Electoral Commission officials in case of a malfunction.
“The car with technocrats is moving to each polling centre to help out with the machines,” one polling agent told the stranded voters.
“The problem seems to be countrywide, so we ask for your patience as we wait for guidance on what to do next.”
Patience, however, wore thin. By the time New Vision left the Younger Playground polling centre at 9am, both voters and polling officials were still waiting, uncertain whether voting would resume or be further delayed.