Preliminary tallies from nearly half of polling stations show President Yoweri Museveni leading with 76.25%, while challenger Bobi Wine has 19.85% amid claims from his party that he is under house arrest. The election took place during an internet blackout and has prompted fraud allegations and criticism from international bodies. Campaign rallies were disrupted by security forces—with at least one fatality and hundreds arrested—and reports of overnight violence in Butambala include contested accounts of multiple deaths. Officials say counts are ongoing and the situation remains tense and disputed.
Museveni Leads With 76.25% As Uganda Vote Count Continues; Opposition Alleges House Arrest And Violence
Yoweri Museveni says that he expects to win with 80 percent of the vote [AFP]
President Yoweri Museveni was reported to hold a commanding lead as officials continued tallying votes in Uganda's presidential election.
With results from nearly half of polling stations recorded, the Uganda Electoral Commission said on Friday that the long‑time leader had secured 76.25% of the vote. His main challenger, pop star‑turned‑politician Bobi Wine (legal name Robert Kyagulanyi), was credited with 19.85%, and his party said he was effectively under house arrest as reports of violence emerged; police have denied knowledge of any house arrest.
The commission added that the remaining ballots were split among six other candidates. These figures are preliminary as vote counting continues across the country.
Museveni, in office since 1986, told reporters after voting on Thursday that he expected to win about 80% of the vote "if there's no cheating," a margin that would hand the former rebel leader a seventh term and cement his status as one of Africa's longest‑serving leaders.
Bobi Wine has accused authorities of widespread fraud in an election held amid an internet blackout, an action that drew criticism from international bodies concerned about transparency and access to information.
The United Nations human rights office warned last week that the vote was taking place in an environment of 'widespread repression and intimidation.'
During the campaign, Wine's rallies were repeatedly disrupted by security forces using tear gas and live rounds; at least one person was killed and hundreds were arrested in clashes that the government said were responses to lawless behaviour.
Polling was also affected by logistical problems: some stations opened up to four hours late after the scheduled 7:00am start due to what officials described as 'technical challenges.'
Regional unrest in neighbouring Tanzania and Kenya in recent weeks heightened fears of instability in Uganda, which has not experienced a peaceful transfer of presidential power since independence from British colonial rule six decades ago.
Overnight violence was reported in Butambala, about 55 km southwest of Kampala. Human rights activist Agather Atuhaire said soldiers and police killed at least 10 opposition supporters who gathered at the home of MP Muwanga Kivumbi to watch early results. Local police disputed that account, saying opposition "goons" allegedly attacked a police station armed with machetes and axes and that officers fired in self‑defence, resulting in deaths and injuries.
As counting continues, the situation remains fluid: results are preliminary, accounts of violence are contested, and international observers and rights groups continue to call for calm, transparency and unfettered access to information.
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