Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine was placed under house arrest on Friday, a day after national elections in which early results showed President Yoweri Museveni with a commanding lead as he seeks to extend his nearly 40-year rule.
According to provisional results released by the Electoral Commission, with about 25 percent of votes counted, Museveni was leading with 76.25 percent, while Wine had secured 19.85 percent of the vote.
Final results from the presidential and parliamentary elections are expected by 0200 GMT on Saturday.
Museveni, 81, has ruled Uganda since 1986 and has faced accusations of widespread repression of opposition groups in the lead-up to the vote.
His government imposed an internet blackout earlier in the week, drawing criticism from rights groups and opposition leaders.
Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, rose to prominence in recent years as Museveni’s main challenger.
The 43-year-old former musician, popularly known as the “ghetto president” in reference to his upbringing in Kampala’s informal settlements, has frequently accused the government of silencing dissent.
In a statement posted on X late Thursday, Wine’s party, the National Unity Platform, said security forces had surrounded his residence, effectively placing him and his wife under house arrest.
“The military and police have surrounded the residence of President Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert,” the party said, adding that security officers had entered the compound and begun erecting tents inside.
AFP journalists who visited the residence on Friday reported that the area was calm, although a military vehicle and several police officers were stationed outside.
Election day on Thursday was marked by significant logistical challenges, including malfunctioning biometric voter identification machines and delays in the delivery of ballot papers in several regions, which caused voting to start late in many polling stations.
There was a heavy security presence across the country throughout the voting period.
The United Nations human rights office said last week that the elections were taking place in an environment characterised by “widespread repression and intimidation” of opposition figures and supporters.
Wine accused the government of orchestrating “massive ballot stuffing” and attacking officials from his party during the internet blackout imposed on Tuesday.
His allegations could not be independently verified.
Political analysts have largely viewed the election as a foregone conclusion, citing Museveni’s firm grip on state institutions and security forces, as well as his track record of crushing political opposition during his decades-long rule.
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