Uganda’s president heads for victory as his main rival cries foul
Uganda’s president heads for victory as his main rival cries foul
reported from the source
Quick summary: President Yoweri Museveni leads the presidential election with 75% of the vote, while challenger Bobi Wine claims electoral fraud and faces house arrest.
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 questioned the credibility of the results. Museveni has received 75% of the vote, with Wine at 21%, based on returns from 70% of polling stations. Wine’s party reported that a helicopter landed at his home in Kampala and forcibly took him away, but local police were unaware of the incident. Wine stated he was under house arrest, surrounded by security forces, which police claimed was for his own security. He urged supporters to disregard the announced results, alleging vote theft without providing evidence. At least seven opposition supporters were reportedly killed in Butambala amid violence following the election, with conflicting accounts from police and opposition sources regarding the circumstances. The US embassy issued an alert due to reports of security forces using tear gas and firing into the air to disperse gatherings. Electoral chief Simon Byabakama stated that vote counting was unaffected by an internet blackout, with final results expected within 48 hours. The election followed a violent campaign, with Museveni seeking a seventh term and Wine advocating for youth representation and reforms. Voting was delayed in many areas due to logistical issues, and the internet was suspended to prevent misinformation, a move criticized by the UN human rights office.
Source: www.bbc.com
