Uganda’s long-time leader takes lead in provisional results

During Thursday’s elections in Uganda, police briefly detained Kizza Besigye, the leader of Uganda’s largest opposition party, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), just before the end of voting.

“It’s our right to vote”, said Geofrey Were, 32, as he stood waiting for the second day in a row in the Ggaba neighbourhood of Kampala. “The supporters of Besigye are becoming more fearless and express their anger against the police and army”, Bahizi said.

Uganda’s Opposition alliance has claimed the elections have been compromised.

Besigye was Museveni’s personal physician during a war and served as deputy interior minister in his first Cabinet.

However, only three-fifths bothered to turn out in 2011. At a news conference this week, he said he expected the government to obstruct the vote once again.

This election is mired in rigging allegations.

Uganda receives $750 million annually in aid from the United States, including significant investments in military training and support.

Museveni, 71, has pleased Western allies by sending in peacekeeping troops to hotspots such as Somalia.

Seven opposition candidates are running against Mr Museveni. For its part, the country’s Electoral Commission has promised a free and fair election.

Throughout the election, social media has been used as a rallying and debate tool.

The delay sparked concern from an independent watchdog and anger among voters. The NRM, the governing party, denies that it pays people to attend political events.

Nanteza Beatrice, 56, a fruit vendor in a Kampala market, said she believes Uganda is not ready for a post-Museveni era.

“We have had peace for a long time and these young people are taking it for granted because they don’t know how it was before”, she said, referring to years when Uganda was ruled by two dictators – Idi Amin and Milton Obote – who became infamous for orchestrating unpredictable violence.

More than 150,000 police, soldiers and other security forces have been deployed to ensure tight security, according to election officials.

Unfortunately a few polling stations were not aware of the extension.

In Jinja, a small town near the Nile River’s source on Lake Victoria, voters turned out early Thursday.

He had earlier expressed fears of election malpractice especially in the areas of Kampala, Mukono and Wakiso which are considered FDC strongholds. “Let him respect Ugandan law”, said commission chairman Badru Kiggundu on Friday. A senior foreign election observer called the delays “absolutely inexcusable”.

Police spokesman Patrick Onyango said Mr Besigye had been apprehended for criminal trespass and assault. One person was killed and at least 19 were injured.

UCC however did not elaborate why they also shut down mobile money, a tool for transferring money between mobile phone accounts. Counting and tallying of votes are on-going at some polling stations around the country.

Police Chief Gen. Kale Kayihura on Wednesday said social media was being abused to create tension during the election.

One of the providers, the telecommunications giant MTN, called the disruption a “temporary interference” on Twitter.

The national Electoral Commission pledged that all voters would have the opportunity to cast a ballot.

Voting in most polling stations closed at 1600 local time (1300 GMT) but in some areas it was extended to 1900 local time (1600 GMT) due to delays.