KAMPALA, Uganda- Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has taken a commanding lead in Thursday’s presidential election – well ahead of his main challenger Bobi Wine, whose party has already questioned the credibility of the results.
Figures so far give Museveni 75% of the vote, with Wine on 21%, based on returns from 70% of polling stations.
Wine, who says he has been placed under house arrest, with security forces surrounding his home in the capital, Kampala, told his supporters to ignore the “fake results”.
He also hit out at the overnight violence in Butambala, about 55km (35 miles) south-west of the capital, in which at least seven opposition supporters were killed in disputed circumstances.
At age 81, Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, is seeking a seventh term in office, extending his grip on power into a fifth decade.
His strong showing in early tallies reflects long-standing support in rural areas, where the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) continues to hold significant influence.
However, Kyagulanyi’s camp immediately challenged the credibility of the count.
The opposition leader has accused authorities of “massive rigging,” ballot-stuffing and harassment of his polling agents, alleging that security forces impeded their work and that key party officials were detained.
The election was held amid a nationwide internet shutdown ordered by authorities, a controversial move officials said was meant to curb misinformation and unrest.
Critics, including human rights groups, have described the blackout as deeply worrying and have raised concerns about transparency.
Kyagulanyi’s party also claimed that some opposition agents were abducted or forced to flee polling stations, making it difficult to observe the counting process in many areas.
The electoral drama has been accompanied by reports of violence and unrest, including clashes between security forces and opposition supporters in central regions, resulting in several fatalities and injuries, according to police and local accounts.
Museveni’s long tenure has been marked by repeated allegations of electoral manipulation and authoritarian tendencies.
He has defended the poll, saying the use of biometric voter identification systems was designed to reduce fraud and improve integrity.
