Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has been declared by the electoral commission on Saturday re-elected with 72 percent of the vote, ahead of his main rival Bobi Wine who polled 25 percent.
The opposition led by Wine alleged widespread electoral fraud and vowed to take to the street for what they called non-violent action against the ‘fictitious’ results.
Before the announcement, the situation in Uganda appeared fluid as the country awaited the results of Thursday’s general elections wih incumbent President Museveni set to win a seventh term in office.
There were running battles between the security forces and opposition demonstrators in Uganda’s biggest city Kampala on Friday. At least ten people were reported killed during the disturbances which were triggered by claims of vote-rigging in favour of President Museveni, in power since 1986.
With 94 percent of the vote in polling stations accounted for, the 81-year-old has polled 72 percent of the ballots, ahead of his closest challenger Bobi Wine with 24 percent.
On Friday Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) claimed he had been whisked away on a helicopter by security personnel who had placed him under house arrest since Thursday.
Wine on Saturday said on X formerly Twitter that he had escaped from custody but his family remains under house arrest at his home in Kampala.
The police maintained that their presence in his home was for the safety and security of his family.
The electoral commission said the results will be announced later on Saturday.
WN/as/APA