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Some lessons in how to rig and election by Yoweri Museveni, who has been in charge in Uganda for 35 years. 1) arrest, shot at and otherwise intimidate opposition leaders such as @HEBobiwine starting months before the vote, rinse and repeat.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/30/uganda-opposition-candidate-bobi-wine-campaign-team-arrest
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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/30/uganda-opposition-candidate-bobi-wine-campaign-team-arrest
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2) Shoot and kill people who are protesting, also starting months ahead of the vote, rinse and repeat as necessary
https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2020/11/26/the-ugandan-state-shoots-scores-of-citizens-dead 2/
https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2020/11/26/the-ugandan-state-shoots-scores-of-citizens-dead 2/
3) Having a social media strategy is important for autocrats. Create a network of fake accounts/bots/sockpuppets to spread pro-regime propaganda on platforms such as Facebook 3/ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-uganda-election-facebook/facebook-takes-down-ugandan-accounts-ahead-of-election-idUSKBN29G14Q
4) When Facebook takes down your botnet, go to social media Plan B, which is to make sure nobody can access the platform but cutting off access https://www.independent.co.ug/breaking-facebook-now-inaccessible-for-many-in-uganda/
5) It is just two days to go to the election. What can we expect? Probably a complete shut-down of social media and internet access (not just Facebook as happened today) before the election. More state violence on the day seems likely.
6) If the vote goes to the opposition, expect a concerted effort by the state to fix the count to keep the incumbent in power. This will be made easier by restrictions on local press, barriers to entry for foreign press, cut off internet access etc.
7) To stop it, Uganda's neighbours, the African Union and the wide world all need to put the government on notice that they are watching and will not rubber-stamp and stolen election.
