Museveni ‘leading’ in Uganda elections

President Yoweri Museveni is leading in presidential elections, with ballots from 36.5% of polling stations counted, an official said.

Kampala - Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is leading in presidential elections with more than 60 percent of the vote, with ballots from 36.5 percent of polling stations counted, the electoral commission said on Friday.

Museveni’s long-time opponent Kizza Besigye, who was arrested briefly during Thursday’s vote, was second at 33 percent.

The elections pitted the country’s ruler of 29 years against Besigye, his former physician and an ex-army colonel, who has already lost three elections to Museveni.

In third place in the field of eight candidates was Museveni’s former prime minister Amama Mbabazi.

Critics say the government has resorted to a media clampdown, temporary arrests of the main opposition candidates and the backing of a militia-like group to allow Museveni to extend his rule.

The elections were marred by delays and isolated incidents such as police using tear gas against some voters in a Kampala suburb.

Besigye was arrested when inspecting a polling station, but released soon afterwards, according to his party and police sources.

The government also shut down Twitter, Facebook and mobile money transactions on election day.

There was concern that accusations of rigging could spark a wave of violence.

DPA