Kampala – Uganda’s long-serving President Yoweri Museveni has taken a strong early lead in presidential election results announced on Friday, as political tensions rise in the East African country.
The preliminary results, released in Kampala by Uganda’s Electoral Commission, show Museveni ahead with 76.25 percent of the vote from nearly half of the polling stations counted after Thursday’s election. His closest challenger, opposition leader and musician Bobi Wine, stood at 19.85 percent, while six other candidates shared the remaining votes.
Museveni, now 81, has ruled Uganda since 1986 after taking power as a rebel leader. He is seeking another term to reinforce his authority at a time when debate continues over who might eventually succeed him. After casting his ballot, Museveni told reporters he expected to secure about 80 percent of the vote if there was no cheating.
The election unfolded under tight security and an internet blackout, following a campaign period marked by violence. Bobi Wine, whose legal name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has alleged widespread electoral fraud and called on supporters to protest, although no major demonstrations had been reported by Friday.
Wine’s National Unity Platform party claimed late on Thursday that military and police forces had surrounded his home in Kampala, effectively placing him under house arrest. Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said he was not aware of Wine being confined to his residence.
Security forces also restricted Wine’s movements for several days after the 2021 election, in which he was credited with winning 35 percent of the vote. That election was criticised by the United States as neither free nor fair, an assessment rejected by Ugandan authorities.
The United Nations human rights office said last week that this year’s election was taking place in an environment of widespread repression and intimidation. During the campaign, security forces repeatedly opened fire at Wine’s rallies, killing at least one person and arresting hundreds of his supporters. The government said the actions were in response to lawless behaviour.
If confirmed, the outcome would give Museveni a seventh term in office. He is widely believed to favour his son, army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as a successor, a claim the president has publicly denied.
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