Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has been declared the winner of Thursday's election, extending his four decades in power by another five years. He gained 72% of the vote, the election commission announced, against 25% for his closest challenger Bobi Wine, who has condemned what he described as 'fake results' and 'ballot stuffing.' Wine has not provided any details, and the authorities have not responded to his allegations, but African Union election observers said they saw 'no evidence of ballot stuffing.' Wine has called for non-violent protests.
Museveni, 81, first came to power as a rebel leader in 1986 but since then has won seven elections. The election process was marred by violence, with Wine claiming at least 21 people have been killed around the country. The authorities have confirmed seven deaths. Announcing the results, the electoral commission head Simon Byabakama urged supporters of both factions to embrace unity and accept the results.
Beyond the national tallying centre, there have been minimal celebrations, with most roads in the capital, Kampala, empty and businesses closed. However, pockets of violence have been reported in several neighborhoods. Access to the internet has been cut in the country since Tuesday, making it hard to verify information. Wine has demanded the restoration of internet access.
Leading the African Union observer mission, Nigeria's former President Goodluck Jonathan stated that the government should refrain from suspending internet access close to the election. He denounced reports of intimidation and abductions, saying they instilled fear and eroded public trust in the electoral process.
Wine's assistant alleged that security personnel entered the opposition leader's home on the election night, raising concerns about his safety and restricting his movements as security hotspots. Wine represents the youth in a country where most of the population is aged under 30. His campaign promised to tackle corruption and impose sweeping reforms, while Museveni argued he was the sole guarantor of stability in Uganda, a country with a history of conflict.
Museveni, 81, first came to power as a rebel leader in 1986 but since then has won seven elections. The election process was marred by violence, with Wine claiming at least 21 people have been killed around the country. The authorities have confirmed seven deaths. Announcing the results, the electoral commission head Simon Byabakama urged supporters of both factions to embrace unity and accept the results.
Beyond the national tallying centre, there have been minimal celebrations, with most roads in the capital, Kampala, empty and businesses closed. However, pockets of violence have been reported in several neighborhoods. Access to the internet has been cut in the country since Tuesday, making it hard to verify information. Wine has demanded the restoration of internet access.
Leading the African Union observer mission, Nigeria's former President Goodluck Jonathan stated that the government should refrain from suspending internet access close to the election. He denounced reports of intimidation and abductions, saying they instilled fear and eroded public trust in the electoral process.
Wine's assistant alleged that security personnel entered the opposition leader's home on the election night, raising concerns about his safety and restricting his movements as security hotspots. Wine represents the youth in a country where most of the population is aged under 30. His campaign promised to tackle corruption and impose sweeping reforms, while Museveni argued he was the sole guarantor of stability in Uganda, a country with a history of conflict.
