Polling has just opened across Uganda as millions of voters head to the polls in the country's 2026 general elections. Eight candidates are vying for the presidency, including long-time incumbent Yoweri Museveni, seeking a seventh term, and opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine. With a heavily securitised environment and reports of intimidation and arrests, questions remain about whether these elections will reflect genuine democratic choice or continue a pattern of authoritarian consolidation. Joining us from the capital Kampala is journalist Elias Biryabarema to give us an early snapshot from the ground

Polling has just opened across Uganda as millions of voters head to the polls in the country's 2026 general elections. Eight candidates are vying for the presidency, including long-time incumbent Yoweri Museveni, seeking a seventh term, and opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine. With a heavily securitised environment and reports of intimidation and arrests, questions remain about whether these elections will reflect genuine democratic choice or continue a pattern of authoritarian consolidation. Joining us from the capital Kampala is journalist Elias Biryabarema to give us an early snapshot from the ground

Africa Rise & Shine

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Polling has just opened across Uganda:  Elias Biryabarema 

The South African Human Rights Commission -SAHRC, says it has been monitoring school admissions programmes over the years and has noted a systemic problem of learners not being placed or not being placed on time in the Gauteng province and other parts of the country. The Commission says this amounts to a direct threat to the constitutional right of every child to basic education, which, under section 29 of the Constitution and jurisprudence, is immediately realizable and not subject to the availability of resources, with the SAHRC saying failure to admit learners disrupts continuity in teaching and learning.  To discuss this issue further, we're joined on the line by Zamantungwa Mbeki, Provincial Manager  at SAHRC Gauteng province.

The South African Human Rights Commission -SAHRC, says it has been monitoring school admissions programmes over the years and has noted a systemic problem of learners not being placed or not being placed on time in the Gauteng province and other parts of the country. The Commission says this amounts to a direct threat to the constitutional right of every child to basic education, which, under section 29 of the Constitution and jurisprudence, is immediately realizable and not subject to the availability of resources, with the SAHRC saying failure to admit learners disrupts continuity in teaching and learning. &nbsp;To discuss this issue further, we're joined on the line by Zamantungwa Mbeki, Provincial Manager &nbsp;at SAHRC Gauteng province.

SAHRC monitoring school admissions programmes 

Slum Dwellers International, a global movement representing informal settlement communities in more than 30 countries, has condemned the ongoing forced evictions and demolitions in Makoko and nearby waterfront communities in Lagos, Nigeria. The organisation says the demolitions, which were still underway as of the 14th of January, have displaced thousands of residents without proper notice, compensation or resettlement, and are putting vulnerable communities at risk. Joining us now to further discuss this matter is Esther Bimbo Osobe from the Slum Dwellers International Federation in Nigeria.

Slum Dwellers International, a global movement representing informal settlement communities in more than 30 countries, has condemned the ongoing forced evictions and demolitions in Makoko and nearby waterfront communities in Lagos, Nigeria. The organisation says the demolitions, which were still underway as of the 14th of January, have displaced thousands of residents without proper notice, compensation or resettlement, and are putting vulnerable communities at risk. Joining us now to further discuss this matter is Esther Bimbo Osobe from the Slum Dwellers International Federation in Nigeria.

Lagos eviction:  Esther Bimbo Osobe 

Uganda is voting today in an election being closely watched both at home and across the region. The polls are taking place amid concerns about the political environment, the role of security forces, access to information, and the broader question of public trust in the electoral process. To help us make sense of what matters most on this election day, we are joined by Robert Kabushenga, former Government Spokesperson of Uganda and former CEO of Vision Group. He has worked at the centre of state communication and media, giving him a unique perspective on how elections are organised, communicated, and perceived. Robert Kabushenga joins us now

Uganda is voting today in an election being closely watched both at home and across the region. The polls are taking place amid concerns about the political environment, the role of security forces, access to information, and the broader question of public trust in the electoral process. To help us make sense of what matters most on this election day, we are joined by Robert Kabushenga, former Government Spokesperson of Uganda and former CEO of Vision Group. He has worked at the centre of state communication and media, giving him a unique perspective on how elections are organised, communicated, and perceived. Robert Kabushenga joins us now

Polling has just opened across Uganda: Elias Biryabarema

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