The man tasked with refereeing Uganda’s most volatile election in decades has come out swinging. Justice Simon Byabakama, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, revealed he has received ominous threats from senior state officials warning him against declaring the "wrong" result.

Speaking to the BBC from his fortified headquarters in Kampala, Byabakama was defiant"Some people tell me, 'If you don't declare so-and-so, you will see.' I tell them I am not in the business of donating votes," he said. "I will declare what the voters have decided, nothing else."

"Idle People"

The revelation follows a viral video of a presidential aide claiming President Museveni would "never leave power through the ballot," regardless of the vote count. Byabakama dismissed such sentiments as the talk of "idle people," insisting that the commission is independent.

However, the optics on the ground tell a different story. With the internet shut down and military vehicles patrolling the streets, the commission operates in a suffocating environment. Opposition leader Bobi Wine has already accused the body of being a rubber stamp for the regime, a claim Byabakama vehemently denies.

• The Count Begins: As polling stations close, the focus shifts to the National Tally Centre. Byabakama has promised to announce results within 48 hours. The world is watching to see if his courage holds when the numbers start trickling in.
• Legacy on the Line: For Byabakama, this election is the ultimate test. If he delivers a credible poll, he cements his legacy. If he buckles, he joins a long list of officials who couldn't say no to the man in the hat.