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Yoweri Museveni Secures Fifth Term Amid Controversy in Ugandan Election

President Yoweri Museveni has been declared the winner of Uganda's recent election, extending his 40-year rule by an additional five years amidst claims of electoral fraud and calls for protests from his main rival.

Source: bbc.co.uk1 min read
Yoweri Museveni Secures Fifth Term Amid Controversy in Ugandan Election
Image via bbc.co.uk

In brief

In a contested election, Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, has secured a victory to extend his presidency for another five years. Opposition leader Bobi Wine contests the official results and has called for non-violent protests. The election has been marred by violence and internet blackouts aimed at preventing misinformation.

President Yoweri Museveni has been declared the winner of Thursday's election and is set to extend his 40 years in power by another five years.

He got a huge majority, according to the election commission, ahead of his closest challenger Bobi Wine, who has condemned the fake results.

Wine has called on Ugandans to hold non-violent protests.

Museveni, 81, first came to power as a rebel leader in 1986 but since then has won seven elections.

The election has been marred by violence and Wine, a 43-year-old former pop star, says that at least 21 people have been killed.

The authorities have so far confirmed seven deaths.

Access to the internet has been cut in the country since Tuesday, making it hard to verify information.

The authorities say the blackout was necessary to prevent misinformation, fraud, and the incitement of violence - a move condemned by the UN human rights office as deeply worrying.

Wine has demanded that the internet be restored.

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