Early results from Uganda’s presidential election indicate that President Yoweri Museveni, 81, is leading opposition candidate Bobi Wine as vote counting continues across the country.
According to figures shared on Friday by CNN correspondent Larry Madowo, Museveni has secured 76.25 per cent of the votes, representing about 3.9 million ballots, while Bobi Wine trails with 19.85 per cent, or approximately 1.3 million votes. The update was based on results released by the Uganda Electoral Commission, with about 45 per cent of polling stations reported at the time.
The partial results suggest that less than half of the total votes have been counted, meaning the final outcome of the election remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, Bobi Wine has alleged widespread irregularities during the voting process. In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, the opposition leader accused authorities of orchestrating electoral malpractice, including arrests of opposition figures and a nationwide internet shutdown on election day.
“The world needs to know what is happening in Uganda on election day,” Wine wrote, claiming that the internet was shut down while “massive ballot stuffing” was reported across the country.
He further alleged that senior opposition officials were arrested, including the Deputy President for the Western Region, and that several polling agents and supervisors were abducted or forced out of polling stations.
Bobi Wine also raised concerns over the functionality of election technology, alleging that Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVK) failed at numerous polling units, a situation he said could undermine the credibility of the election.
Calling for both local and international attention, the opposition candidate urged Ugandans and the global community to reject what he described as authoritarian governance and electoral manipulation.
The Ugandan Electoral Commission has not yet responded publicly to the allegations, as vote collation continues nationwide.
