Uganda president dominates poll

Museveni credited with 76% of vote

- 

Supporters of President Yoweri Museveni during a campaign rally ahead of presidential elections, in Kampala, Uganda, on Tuesday. BLOOMBERG

(BLOOMBERG)

Veteran Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni held a commanding lead in early presidential election results announced yesterday as conflicting accounts emerged of violence reported after the vote.

Mr Museveni, who is 81 and has ruled Uganda since seizing power in 1986, wants a decisive victory following a campaign marred by violence at opposition rallies.

Results announced by the electoral commission from Thursday's election showed Mr Museveni with 76.25% of the vote based on tallies from nearly half of polling stations.

His main challenger, popular singer Bobi Wine, trailed with 19.85% and the remaining votes were split among six other candidates.

Mr Museveni had told reporters after casting his ballot on Thursday that he expected to win with 80% of the vote “if there's no cheating”