President Yoweri Museveni has taken an early lead in Uganda’s presidential election as vote tallying continues nationwide, according to provisional results released by the Electoral Commission on Friday morning.
Initial figures show Museveni, the flag bearer of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), securing 61.7 per cent of the vote. He is followed by National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Bobi Wine, who has so far garnered 33.4 per cent.
The provisional results are based on returns from the first 133 polling stations, providing an early snapshot of the race as counting continues in other parts of the country. Electoral officials cautioned that the figures remain subject to change as more results are received, verified and consolidated.
Museveni’s early advantage reflects previous election trends, where the long-serving president has typically posted strong initial results.
The contest is a high-stakes rematch between incumbent President Museveni, 81, who has been in power for nearly four decades, and opposition leader Bobi Wine, 43, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu. Six other candidates are also vying for the presidency.