The crackdown in Kampala has extended beyond the internet. In a move widely condemned by rights groups, the Ugandan government has indefinitely suspended the operations of 54 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), accusing them of "subversive activities" and non-compliance with the NGO Act.

The list includes prominent election monitoring groups and human rights defenders who were set to deploy observers across the country. By freezing their accounts and revoking permits hours before the vote, the state has effectively removed the independent eyes and ears from the electoral process.

"We Are Flying Blind"

"Without observers, we are flying blind," said the director of a suspended governance watchdog. "There will be no one to document ballot stuffing or intimidation. This is a deliberate strategy to steal the election in the dark."

The government maintains that the NGOs were operating illegally and receiving foreign funding to destabilize the country—a common refrain used to stifle dissent. President Museveni has repeatedly warned against "foreign interference" in Ugandan affairs.

• Global Reaction: The US State Department and the EU have issued strong statements condemning the suspensions, warning that they compromise the credibility of the polls. However, with the internet down, these diplomatic protests are barely registering on the streets of Kampala.
• The Vacuum: The absence of civil society leaves the field open for the state machinery. As Ugandans cast their votes, the question is not just who they are voting for, but who will be there to count it.