The US State Department said Saturday it is "deeply troubled" by reports of violence and irregularities surrounding Uganda's presidential election, which saw Yoweri Museveni win a sixth term in office.

"The Ugandan people turned out to vote in multiparty national elections on January 14 despite an environment of intimidation and fear," department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement.

"We are deeply troubled by the many credible reports of security force violence during the pre-election period and election irregularities during the polls," she said.

Museveni extended his 35-year rule after an election which his main rival said was marred by fraud.

He was accused of crushing the opposition and media ahead of one of the most violent election campaigns in recent years, which saw the deaths of at least 54 people.

Ortagus called for "independent, credible, impartial and thorough investigations" into the reports of violence and fraud, and for those responsible to face justice.

She condemned attacks on political candidates, and said the State Department is "gravely concerned by harassment of and continued threats to civil society."

Museveni won with 58.6 percent of the vote, seeing off a stiff battle from former ragga singer Bobi Wine.

Wine was under heavy guard at his home on the outskirts of Kampala as the results were announced, with his party saying he was under "effective house arrest."&nbsp;

The government said it was merely providing him with security.

The US State Department said Saturday it is "deeply troubled" by reports of violence and irregularities surrounding Uganda's presidential election, which saw Yoweri Museveni win a sixth term in office.

The US State Department said Saturday it is "deeply troubled" by reports of violence and irregularities surrounding Uganda's presidential election, which saw Yoweri Museveni win a sixth term in office. "The Ugandan people turned out to vote in multiparty national elections on January 14 despite an environment of intimidation and fear," department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement. "We are deeply troubled by the many credible reports of security force violence during the pre-election period and election irregularities during the polls," she said. Museveni extended his 35-year rule after an election which his main rival said was marred by fraud. He was accused of crushing the opposition and media ahead of one of the most violent election campaigns in recent years, which saw the deaths of at least 54 people. Ortagus called for "independent, credible, impartial and thorough investigations" into the reports of violence and fraud, and for those responsible to face justice. She condemned attacks on political candidates, and said the State Department is "gravely concerned by harassment of and continued threats to civil society." Museveni won with 58.6 percent of the vote, seeing off a stiff battle from former ragga singer Bobi Wine. Wine was under heavy guard at his home on the outskirts of Kampala as the results were announced, with his party saying he was under "effective house arrest." The government said it was merely providing him with security.

US 'deeply troubled' by reports of violence, irregularities in Uganda poll

Uganda opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine says the military has “taken control” of his house after “it jumped over the fence”.

Bobi tweeted the news just hours after he alleged that Thursday's election was rigged and said "every legal option is on the table" to challenge the official results, including peaceful protests. He referred to himself as the "president-elect." 
 
<img alt="BOBI WINE" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3fc26207-e8e4-4605-87eb-71b230de56f8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/bobi-wine.JPG" /> 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bobi-wine-vs-yoweri-museveni-who-will-become-ugandas-next-president-356521">Also read | Bobi Wine vs Yoweri Museveni: Who will become Uganda's next president?</a> 
 
"None of these military intruders is talking to us. We are in serious trouble. We are under siege," tweeted Wine, who was arrested several times during campaigning but never charged while dozens of party members were detained. He earlier said he feared for his life. 
 
Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni reported leading in early election trends

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ugandan-president-yoweri-museveni-reported-leading-in-early-election-trends-356973/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Wine has challenged President Yoweri Museveni who is looking for a record sixth term. But --- it won't be easy. The challenger has faced a series of arrests and violent attacks in recent months.

Even his supporters haven't been spared. In a recent tweet, Wine shared a video that allegedly shows --- a member of the campaign being arrested by the military.

Wine has also claimed --- that one of his supporters was shot dead in a raid. On Tuesday, Bobi Wine said he had been targeted with a raid too. The violence has caught the attention of the United Nations.

The Human Rights office expressed concerns last week, they called the arrest of opposition leaders worrying.

The Ugandan president's response was defiance. He accused the opposition of fuelling unrest and violating coronavirus regulations.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Uganda opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine says the military has “taken control” of his house after “it jumped over the fence”. Bobi tweeted the news just hours after he alleged that Thursday's election was rigged and said "every legal option is on the table" to challenge the official results, including peaceful protests.

Uganda opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine says the military has “taken control” of his house after “it jumped over the fence”. Bobi tweeted the news just hours after he alleged that Thursday's election was rigged and said "every legal option is on the table" to challenge the official results, including peaceful protests. He referred to himself as the "president-elect." Also read | Bobi Wine vs Yoweri Museveni: Who will become Uganda's next president? "None of these military intruders is talking to us. We are in serious trouble. We are under siege," tweeted Wine, who was arrested several times during campaigning but never charged while dozens of party members were detained. He earlier said he feared for his life. Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni reported leading in early election trends Wine has challenged President Yoweri Museveni who is looking for a record sixth term. But --- it won't be easy. The challenger has faced a series of arrests and violent attacks in recent months. Even his supporters haven't been spared. In a recent tweet, Wine shared a video that allegedly shows --- a member of the campaign being arrested by the military. Wine has also claimed --- that one of his supporters was shot dead in a raid. On Tuesday, Bobi Wine said he had been targeted with a raid too. The violence has caught the attention of the United Nations. The Human Rights office expressed concerns last week, they called the arrest of opposition leaders worrying. The Ugandan president's response was defiance. He accused the opposition of fuelling unrest and violating coronavirus regulations. (With inputs from agencies)

Uganda’s opposition leader Bobi Wine says military raids home

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni took an early lead in the presidential election race, according to preliminary results released on Friday morning by the electoral commission.

With 13.6 per cent&nbsp;of votes counted, Museveni had won 1,536,205 votes, or 65.0 per cent, while main opposition candidate Bobi Wine had 647,146 (27.4 per cent), the commission said.

Wine, a singer-turned-lawmaker who has galvanized young Ugandans with his call for change, said in a tweet early on Friday that he was confident of victory despite "widespread fraud and violence" during the poll. He gave no further details.

Museveni, who has led the East African country with a population of nearly 46 million for 34 years, had not made any statement by 10:30 a.m. (0730 GMT).

On Wednesday, the government ordered an internet blackout until further notice, a day after banning all social media and messaging apps.

The election campaign was marred by deadly crackdowns by security forces on opposition candidates and their supporters.

Uganda's normally bustling capital Kampala was quiet on Friday, a public holiday after Thursday's poll, with shops mostly closed. Soldiers patrolled on foot in the rain in a suburb visited by Reuters.

Commission head Simon Byabakama assured the nation on live TV on Thursday evening after polls closed that results were arriving at the national tally centre despite the nationwide internet blackout.

"We are not using local internet to transmit our results, we are using our own system," he said, without giving details of that system. "Don't worry, results will come."

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni took an early lead in the presidential election race, according to preliminary results released on Friday morning by the electoral commission.

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni took an early lead in the presidential election race, according to preliminary results released on Friday morning by the electoral commission. With 13.6 per cent of votes counted, Museveni had won 1,536,205 votes, or 65.0 per cent, while main opposition candidate Bobi Wine had 647,146 (27.4 per cent), the commission said. Wine, a singer-turned-lawmaker who has galvanized young Ugandans with his call for change, said in a tweet early on Friday that he was confident of victory despite "widespread fraud and violence" during the poll. He gave no further details. Museveni, who has led the East African country with a population of nearly 46 million for 34 years, had not made any statement by 10:30 a.m. (0730 GMT). On Wednesday, the government ordered an internet blackout until further notice, a day after banning all social media and messaging apps. The election campaign was marred by deadly crackdowns by security forces on opposition candidates and their supporters. Uganda's normally bustling capital Kampala was quiet on Friday, a public holiday after Thursday's poll, with shops mostly closed. Soldiers patrolled on foot in the rain in a suburb visited by Reuters. Commission head Simon Byabakama assured the nation on live TV on Thursday evening after polls closed that results were arriving at the national tally centre despite the nationwide internet blackout. "We are not using local internet to transmit our results, we are using our own system," he said, without giving details of that system. "Don't worry, results will come."

Uganda's President Museveni has early lead in election, preliminary results show

uganda-polls

Uganda Polls, News on Uganda Polls, stories on Uganda Polls, articles on Uganda Polls, Uganda Polls stories at Wion, Uganda Polls news, Uganda Polls latest news

uganda polls

US 'deeply troubled' by reports of violence, irregularities in Uganda poll

Uganda’s opposition leader Bobi Wine says military raids home

Uganda's President Museveni has early lead in election, preliminary results show