In a bold move to leverage technology for electoral transparency, National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has officially unveiled the Kunga App.
The application is designed to serve as a decentralized monitoring tool for volunteers and citizens to document and report real-time events at polling stations across the country.
A Digital Shield for the Ballot
With only hours remaining before the polls open, the Kunga App aims to address the long-standing challenges of ballot stuffing, intimidation, and the disappearance of Declaration of Results (DR) forms.
Bobi Wine emphasized that while the party is deploying official agents, the “regime” may attempt to arrest or block them. The Kunga App serves as the ultimate “Plan B,” turning every voter into a digital monitor.
Key Features and Instructions for Volunteers
The NUP leadership has outlined a clear strategy for using the platform to ensure a transparent process:
Evidence Collection: Citizens are urged to use their smartphone cameras to record any irregularities or criminal activities at polling stations.
DR Form Verification: By law, presiding officers must pin a copy of the DR form in a visible place. Volunteers are instructed to take high-quality photos of these forms and upload them directly to the app.
Offline Functionality: Anticipating potential internet shutdowns—a common occurrence during Ugandan elections—the Kunga App is designed to store data locally. Once the user regains a connection, the uploaded DR forms will automatically sync to the central database.
Anonymity and Safety: The app provides a secure gateway for submitting evidence, offering a layer of protection for those reporting sensitive information.
”The law requires every presiding officer to pin a copy of the DR form at a visible place… Let’s all ensure that happens, take the pictures, and upload them.” — Bobi Wine
The Strategy: “Stay and Watch”
Beyond the digital tool, Bobi Wine has called for a physical presence at the polls. He implored supporters to remain at polling stations, while observing the legal 20-meter distance, to act as a deterrent against malpractice.
This dual approach of physical vigilance and digital documentation marks a significant shift in how the opposition intends to challenge the incumbency. By decentralizing the collection of results, the NUP hopes to create an indisputable digital trail of the election’s outcome.
How to Access the Kunga App
Supporters and volunteers can access the platform via the official link shared by the NUP leadership: Kunga App Portal.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE KUNGA APP
As the nation heads to the polls, all eyes will be on how this technological intervention influences the transparency and credibility of the final tally.
