Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni took an early lead in the country’s election, preliminary results from the Electoral Commission showed yesterday.The commission said Museveni, one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, garnered 1.36 million votes out of a total of 2.32 million votes which have been counted so far from 6448 polling stations – less than a quarter of the 28 010 stations across the country.
The tally gave Museveni 61.75% of the votes counted, followed by opposition leader Kizza Besigye with 33.47%.
Museveni, a Western ally, is seeking to extend his three decades in office.
While he is widely expected to retain the presidency, young voters in urban areas have demanded change and blame him for not tackling corruption or creating jobs. Kizza Besigye, who challenged Museveni unsuccessfully in three previous elections, has repeatedly insisted the election would not be free and fair and on Thursday accused the government of rigging the vote.
Late on Thursday afternoon, Besigye was briefly detained in Kampala for criminal trespass and assault.
A senior official with Besigye’s party said he had been leading a crowd of supporters to a building where he claimed ballot stuffing was under way.
Police called Besigye’s accusations unfounded and outrageous.
Washington condemned his arrest, with US State Department spokesman John Kirby saying it called into question “Uganda’s commitment to a transparent election, free from intimidation”. — Reuters
Museveni leading in Uganda poll
The commission said Museveni, one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, garnered 1.36 million votes out of a total of 2.32 million votes which have been counted so far from 6448 polling stations – less than a quarter of the 28 010 stations across the country.
The tally gave Museveni 61.75% of the votes counted, followed by opposition leader Kizza Besigye with 33.47%.
Museveni, a Western ally, is seeking to extend his three decades in office.
While he is widely expected to retain the presidency, young voters in urban areas have demanded change and blame him for not tackling corruption or creating jobs. Kizza Besigye, who challenged Museveni unsuccessfully in three previous elections, has repeatedly insisted the election would not be free and fair and on Thursday accused the government of rigging the vote.
Late on Thursday afternoon, Besigye was briefly detained in Kampala for criminal trespass and assault.
A senior official with Besigye’s party said he had been leading a crowd of supporters to a building where he claimed ballot stuffing was under way.
Police called Besigye’s accusations unfounded and outrageous.
Washington condemned his arrest, with US State Department spokesman John Kirby saying it called into question “Uganda’s commitment to a transparent election, free from intimidation”. — Reuters
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