Uganda’s President Museveni Re-elected Amidst Claims of Irregularities
KAMPALA, Uganda – Yoweri Museveni has secured a seventh term as President of Uganda, garnering 71.65% of the vote in recent elections, according to official results. However, the election has been met with some concerns about fairness from the opposition.
Bobi Wine, a musician turned politician, received 24.72% of the vote. Wine has voiced strong objections to the electoral process, alleging fraud and intimidation of his supporters. He initially urged his followers to protest peacefully.
Wine claimed to have been forced to seek shelter due to the presence of security forces near his home. Police officials stated that he was not under arrest, but security measures were in place to prevent potential unrest.
There were some problems reported with voter machines, causing delays. Museveni approved the plan to switch to paper records because of the machine issues. Wine cited the machine issues and the switch to paper records as reasons for his fraud claims.
Museveni, who is 81, has been in office for a long time and his supporters say he has maintained stability and security. Critics, however, say he has grown too powerful, and removed legal limits to his time in office.
An expert on Ugandan politics, Yusuf Serunkuma, noted that Wine faced an uphill battle against Museveni, who has a strong hold on the government and military.
Throughout the election period, security forces maintained a visible presence. Wine reported instances of harassment towards his supporters.
Uganda has not seen a peaceful transition of power since it became independent.
Another opposition leader, Kizza Besigye, who has run for president four times, is currently imprisoned.
