Uganda’s long serving president Yoweri Museveni moved toward another term in office after preliminary election results showed him winning more than three quarters of the vote, as opposition leaders alleged widespread fraud and violence erupted near the capital.
Figures released by the electoral commission on Thursday showed Museveni securing 76.25 percent of ballots counted so far, based on tallies from nearly half of polling stations nationwide. His closest challenger, opposition figure and pop star Bobi Wine, was second with 19.85 percent, while six other candidates shared the remaining votes.
The early results have intensified scrutiny of an election already criticized by rights groups and international observers for heavy security measures and restrictions on communication.
Speaking after casting his ballot, Museveni said he expected a landslide victory if the process remained fair. “I expect to win with 80 percent of the vote if there’s no cheating,” he told reporters.
Wine rejected the preliminary outcome, alleging mass fraud during voting and counting. The election was conducted under a nationwide internet shutdown, which authorities said was necessary to curb what they described as misinformation.
Wine called on his supporters to protest the results, raising fears of unrest in a country with a history of violent post election crackdowns.
Last week, the United Nations human rights office warned that the vote was taking place amid “widespread repression and intimidation,” according to a statement cited by Reuters. Concerns were heightened by recent political violence in neighboring Kenya and Tanzania.
While voting itself passed without major incidents, violence was reported overnight in Butambala, about 55 kilometers southwest of Kampala.
Human rights activist Agather Atuhaire said soldiers and police killed at least 10 opposition supporters who had gathered at the home of opposition lawmaker Muwanga Kivumbi to follow early results. Her account was based on information from Kivumbi’s wife, activist Zahara Nampewo.
According to Atuhaire, security forces fired tear gas before opening fire with live ammunition on people sheltering inside the compound. Authorities have not publicly confirmed the deaths.
Late Thursday, Wine’s National Unity Platform party said on social media that police and soldiers had surrounded his residence in Kampala, effectively placing him under house arrest.
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Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke told Reuters he was not aware of Wine being confined to his home.
Following Uganda’s previous election in 2021, security forces restricted Wine to his residence for several days. In that vote, Wine officially received 35 percent of the ballots, an outcome the United States later said did not reflect a free or fair process. Ugandan authorities rejected that assessment.
Throughout the campaign, Wine’s rallies were repeatedly disrupted by security forces using tear gas and live ammunition. At least one person was killed during those incidents, and hundreds of opposition supporters were arrested, according to rights groups.
The government defended its actions, saying security forces were responding to disorderly conduct and threats to public safety.
Final election results are expected in the coming days, but the early violence and competing claims have already underscored Uganda’s deep political divisions.