Museveni wins election to extend 30-year rule

The Ugandan president, Yoweri Museveni, has won a fifth term in office thereby extending his 30-year rule on Saturday. 

There were heavy criticism from international observers who have since dismissed the election results. Museveni's main opponent was also placed under house arrest. 

Museveni, one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, won 60.8% of the vote in presidential elections, while Kizza Besigye, his main opposition candidate and former right-hand man secured 35.4%, according to the country’s electoral commission. 

Besigye also dismissed the result saying: “We have just witnessed what must be the most fraudulent electoral process in Uganda.”

Museveni, 71, is widely criticized for failing to tackle rampant corruption in the east African nation of 37 million people.

European and Commonwealth observers criticised the conduct of the polls which was marred by lengthy delays in the delivery of polling materials, outbreaks of violence and a government shutdown of social media. 

The EU observer mission said the election was conducted in an intimidating atmosphere. The Commonwealth observers criticized the polls saying it didn't meet key democratic benchmarks. 

Eduard Kukan, chief observer for the EU mission, told reporters in Kampala that the poll was characterised by a “lack of transparency and independence” at the Ugandan electoral commission. 

“State actors created an intimidating atmosphere for both voters and candidates,” he added.

After Besigye’s arrest on Friday, his supporters took to the streets, prompting riot police to fire teargas and stun grenades at them, as well as warning shots from automatic rifles.

Museveni has been accused of trying to rule for life and the arrest of the opposition candidate is unlikely to reduce tension in Uganda.