Uganda says sitting President Museveni wins 6th term as main rival alleges vote rigging

The incumbent president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, has won a sixth five-year term in the recent election, electoral officials say, while his main rival alleges that there has been widespread fraud, rejecting the results.

In a televised news conference on Saturday, Uganda’s Electoral Commission said that 76-year-old Museveni managed to secure 5.85 million votes, or 58.64 percent, of the total votes cast, extending his 35-year rule.

“The electoral commission declares Yoweri Museveni … elected president of the Republic of Uganda,” said Chairman Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama.

Museveni’s main competitor, singer-turned-lawmaker Bobi Wine only garnered 3.48 million votes or 34.83 percent in Thursday’s presidential elections, whose turnout was 52 percent of almost 18 million registered voters, the commission added.

However, Wine, 38, totally rejected the results, claiming that the vote had been “the most fraudulent election in the history of Uganda.”

The former pop star has since Friday been insisting that there had been purported widespread fraud, saying that he has video evidence of alleged vote-rigging. He further vowed that he would use “every legal option is on the table” to challenge the official election results, including peaceful protests.

The Electoral Commission denies there was vote-rigging in Thursday's poll.

Wine also tweeted on Friday that his home on the outskirts of the capital Kampala was under siege from government soldiers. His party also said that the presidential challenger had been under “effective house arrest” while the government insisted that the tight guard was merely providing him with security.

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Poll monitors have criticized the Ugandan authorities for cutting off internet access in the country, with Wine saying that he would provide evidence of alleged fraud once the internet was restored.

Museveni, who took power by force in 1986, is considered a key US ally on security matters. In November, at least 54 people were shot dead by security forces loyal to Museveni during protests against one of Wine's numerous arrests.

Museveni has never lost an election and has been counting down the days to victory in confident campaign advertisements, promising to invest more in infrastructure, health, and education and build Uganda's economy.

But Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has accused the president of presiding over corruption and failing to deliver jobs.

Earlier, Wine had vowed non-violent street protests should Ugandans feel the elections were stolen. The opposition leader also urged people to turn out in large numbers and vote, saying they should not fear intimidation by the authorities.

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