Voting begins in Uganda’s presidential election during internet shutdown and polling station delays

Voting has opened in Uganda’s presidential election. The polls opened Thursday morning despite a days-long internet shutdown that has been criticized as an anti-democratic tactic. Crowds have gathered and long lines formed in some areas as polling station openings have been delayed. Voting materials were being delivered after the scheduled 7 a.m. opening time. President Yoweri Museveni has held office since 1986. He is facing seven other candidates including Robert Kyagulanyi. The musician-turned-politician best known as Bobi Wine is calling for political change. The East African country of roughly 45 million people has 21.6 million registered voters.