Ugandas President Yoweri Museveni secures seventh term in election

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni Has Been Re-Elected for a Seventh Term

President Yoweri Museveni has secured 71.65 percent of the vote in Uganda’s recent presidential election, according to the country’s electoral commission. The results were announced on Saturday, marking Museveni’s seventh term in office.

Museveni, who is 81 years old, defeated his main challenger, Bobi Wine, a 43-year-old singer-turned-politician, who received 24.72 percent of the vote. The election campaign was marred by reports of widespread repression and intimidation, including a crackdown on opposition rallies and a nationwide internet blackout.

Bobi Wine had claimed on social media that “massive ballot stuffing” was taking place during the election. He also reported escaping a police and army raid on his house earlier on Saturday. Museveni has been in power since 1986 and has been accused of overseeing a years-long crackdown on his political opponents.

Election observers from the African Union and other regional bodies noted reports of intimidation, arrest, and abductions targeting opposition figures and civil society. The internet shutdown disrupted effective observation of the vote, but the overall conduct of the polls on Election Day was described as peaceful.

The Ugandan opposition reported at least 10 people were killed by police in an attack on a local opposition lawmaker’s home in Butambala. Local authorities put the death toll at seven, with police alleging that machete-wielding opposition “goons” attacked a police station and vote-tallying centre.

Museveni’s victory was widely expected, given his total control over the state and security apparatus. His ruling party, the National Resistance Movement, also had a commanding lead in parliamentary seats, according to provisional results.

Source: Al Jazeera