By Adedapo Adesanya
Ugandan President, Mr Yoweri Museveni, has won the controversial presidential election with 58.6 per cent of the votes cast, according to the country’s electoral commission.
The incumbent will now serve a sixth term as president of the East African nation following some of the worst pre-election violence since the 76-year-old took office in 1986.
His main opposition, Bobi Wine, has alleged vote-rigging throughout the process and had strong support in urban centres where frustration with unemployment and corruption remain high.
The result, which was announced by the Ugandan election commission chairman, Mr Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, showed that the turnout was 57.22 per cent of the almost 18 million registered voters.
Mr Byabakama urged the voters to remain calm and “accept the outcome of these elections” while reminding those celebrating to be mindful of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Wine, a 38-year-old former pop star, whose campaign drew support from Ugandan youthful population seeking change, has dismissed the election as a “complete sham”.
The election took place after one of the most violent campaigns in years, with harassment and arrests of the opposition, attacks on the media and the deaths of at least 54 people.
Mr Wine and other opposition candidates were often harassed, and more than 50 people were killed when security forces halted riots in November after he was arrested.
Although Mr Museveni won the premier seat, at least 15 of his cabinet ministers including the vice president Edward Ssekandi were voted out, with many losing to candidates from Mr Wine’s party, according to local media.
Mr Wine, real name Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, claimed victory on Friday and said he had video evidence of vote-rigging and insisted every legal option is on the table to challenge the election results.
He was beaten up and arrested several times during the election campaign but was never convicted of any charge. He later wore a flak jacket and said he feared for his life.
Ahead of the election, in preparation for protests and possible violence in the aftermath of whoever emerged winner, the country’s telecommunications regulator had blocked all social media platforms and messaging apps.
In a letter sent to internet providers, the Uganda Communications Commission said popular services like Facebook and WhatsApp must be suspended until further notice.
Following the outcome of the election, analysts expect supporters of Mr Wine and his National Unity Platform party to voice their outrage in country-wide demonstrations.
