Museveni wins sixth term as Uganda president in bitterly fought campaign

Election was largely free and fair, with high voter turnout and trasparent tallying, African observers say

KAMPALA, Uganda — Yoweri Museveni has won a sixth term as president of Uganda, the election commission said on Jan 16.

Justice Simon Byabakama, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, said Museveni garnered 58.64 percent of the votes tallied in the polls.

The 76-year-old leader beat his main rival, 38-year-old Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, a popular musician turned politician. Kyagulanyi got 34.83 percent of votes.

Observers say this has been one of Uganda’s most contested elections, pitting the young against the older generation. The election period has also been the most violent, with dozens of fatal cases recorded since early November last year.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic compounded the election process as different parties interpreted the implementation of prevention measures depending on the political side they are on.

Museveni’s opponents, however, said his government is riddled with corrupt officials who have derailed the country’s development for selfish gain.

Museveni, in a wide-ranging speech on state television after the announcement, thanked his supporters and said that now, “the only thing to avoid is violence”.

“I think this might turn out to be the most cheating-free election since 1962” when the country achieved independence, he said.

Some election observers also referred to the election process as largely peaceful, with no major violent incidents.

“I think this was generally a peaceful election. It registered a very high voter participation,” Chrispin Kaheru, an independent election observer, said in an interview with Xinhua.

Domitien Ndayizeye, the former Burundian president and head of East African Community-Election Observer Mission, told reporters the elections were free and fair.

“The elections were transparent. The tallying was transparent. There was no voter intimidation and election

officials were very competent,” said Ndayizeye.

ABUBAKER LUBOWA / REUTERS Supporters of Yoweri Museveni celebrate the victory of Uganda’s incumbent president in the election in Kampala, Uganda, on Jan 16.