Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni secures 7th term as opposition rejects results

"Wine, whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, has condemned what he described as an unfair electoral process and alleged abductions of his polling agents before voting had even started in parts of the East African country. He said he rejected the fake results and urged Ugandans to peacefully protest until the rightful results are announced. Wine said he had to escape to avoid arrest by security forces who stormed his house Friday night."

"Electoral officials face questions about the failure of biometric voter identification machines on Thursday that caused delays in the start of voting in urban areas including the capital, Kampala that are opposition strongholds. After the machines failed, in a blow to pro-democracy activists who have long demanded their use to curb rigging, polling officials used hard-copy registers of voters. The failure of the machines is likely to be the basis for any legal challenges to the official result."

Yoweri Museveni secured a seventh presidential term with 71.65% of the vote while Bobi Wine received 24.72%. A days-long internet shutdown occurred and Wine alleged abductions of his polling agents in some areas. Biometric voter identification machines failed in urban opposition strongholds, delaying voting and prompting the use of hard-copy voter registers. Wine rejected the results as fake, said he escaped to avoid arrest, and urged peaceful protests. Police said Wine was not under arrest but restricted access to his property. The biometric failures could form the basis for legal challenges, though courts previously denied nullification requests while urging reforms.

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