By Pearl of Africa News Correspondent
January 16, 2026 | Kampala, Uganda
Uganda’s controversial investment of an estimated 150 billion shillings in Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVKs) has ignited nationwide debate after the technology reportedly failed across numerous polling stations during the January 15 general elections. Highly placed sources familiar with election operations have indicated that the widespread malfunction of the devices was likely linked to the government-imposed internet shutdown, a move that critics say rendered the costly system ineffective at the most critical moment.
The BVVKs were introduced as a central pillar of electoral reform, intended to eliminate voter impersonation, prevent multiple voting, and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process. Instead, polling day accounts paint a starkly different picture—one marked by device failures, long queues, confusion at polling stations, and the hurried use of manual verification methods.
“You cannot spend 150 billion shillings on verification technology and then disable the infrastructure it depends on. That is not a technical glitch—it is a planning failure.”
According to multiple polling officials and observers who spoke to The Pearl of Africa News, many BVVK devices either failed to authenticate voters, froze during verification, or could not access necessary voter data. In some cases, devices repeatedly rebooted, while in others, fingerprints could not be matched at all. As frustration mounted and queues grew longer, polling staff were forced to improvise.
Technology Undermined by Policy
BVVKs are designed to operate using biometric data—most commonly fingerprints—matched against a digital voter register. While some functions can operate offline, reliable connectivity is often required for database synchronization, validation checks, and error resolution. The nationwide internet shutdown imposed ahead of polling day disrupted these processes, effectively neutralizing the system’s core functionality.
Election technology experts argue that deploying connectivity-dependent systems in an environment where internet access is deliberately restricted is a recipe for failure. The shutdown, while defended by authorities as a security measure, had direct operational consequences for election administration.
“The kits were marketed as a safeguard against fraud. When they collapse across the country, the safeguard becomes symbolic rather than functional.”
Polling-Day Reality: Delays and Discretion
Across urban and rural polling stations alike, voters described waiting for hours as officials struggled to get devices working. In several locations, polling staff reportedly reverted to manual identification using voter registers. While such fallback procedures may be permitted under electoral rules, their inconsistent application raised concerns about fairness and uniformity.
When technology fails unevenly, the risk is not only delay but dispute. Manual processes rely heavily on human discretion, which can vary widely between polling stations. In a highly contested political environment, such inconsistencies can quickly undermine confidence in results.
Observers noted that the failure of the BVVKs did not occur in isolation. Combined with restricted communication, limited real-time reporting, and reduced transparency, the malfunctioning devices deepened public suspicion about the overall integrity of the electoral process.
Public Spending Under Scrutiny
The 150-billion-shilling price tag has become a focal point of public anger. Critics argue that such a significant expenditure demands not just good intentions, but demonstrable results. If the BVVKs could not function under foreseeable conditions, questions arise about procurement decisions, technical assessments, and risk planning.
Key accountability issues now dominating public discourse include:
- Whether the BVVKs were designed to function fully without internet access
- What contingency plans existed for a shutdown scenario
- Whether election officials were adequately trained to apply fallback procedures uniformly
Without clear answers, the perception persists that taxpayer funds were poured into a system that lacked resilience.
“Public technology spending is justified by outcomes. If it fails on election day, accountability must follow.”
Trust and the Cost of Failure
Elections rely as much on public trust as on legal frameworks. The BVVK rollout was meant to strengthen that trust by modernizing voter verification and reducing disputes. Instead, the events of polling day appear to have achieved the opposite effect.
For many voters, the combination of a nationwide internet shutdown and the collapse of biometric verification reinforced fears that election safeguards were fragile or selectively applied. In such an atmosphere, even legitimate results risk being questioned.
Analysts warn that unless authorities provide a transparent, detailed explanation of what went wrong—supported by technical evidence and verifiable data—the BVVK episode could have lasting consequences for future elections.
What Comes Next
As Uganda enters the post-election period, pressure is mounting for a comprehensive public account of the BVVK failure. Independent observers say such an explanation should include a breakdown of device performance, the impact of connectivity loss, and a clear assessment of whether the system delivered value for money.
Calls are also growing for audits and performance reviews to determine whether procurement processes aligned with operational realities. For many citizens, the central issue is simple: how could a 150-billion-shilling investment be so easily neutralized on the very day it mattered most?
Until those questions are answered, the BVVK breakdown will remain a powerful symbol of the gap between electoral promises and polling-day realities.
Editor’s Note:
This report is based on polling-day accounts and information provided by sources familiar with election operations. The Pearl of Africa News will continue to follow developments and publish verified updates as they emerge.
