Yoweri Museveni has been declared the winner of Uganda’s presidential election with 58.6 percent of the vote while top opposition challenger Bobi Wine came second place with 34.8 percent.
The results were announced on Saturday amid allegations of widespread rigging.
“The electoral commission declares Yoweri Museveni… elected President of the republic of Uganda,” said election commission chairman, Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama.
Uganda Election: Bobi Wine Declares Self President-Elect
He said turnout was 57.22 per cent of the almost 18 million registered voters.
Byabakama urged the population to “remain calm and accept the outcome of these elections” while reminding those celebrating to be mindful of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wine, a 38-year-old former pop star whose campaign galvanised a 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.
