KAMPALA, Uganda — President Yoweri Museveni won a seventh term Saturday in an election the country’s electoral commission said he dominated, but the victory was overshadowed by a nationwide internet blackout and the arrest of opposition supporters.
The 81-year-old incumbent, who has held power since 1986, secured 71.65% of the vote. His main rival, 43-year-old Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, finished with 24.72%.
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The vote followed a campaign the United Nations said was defined by widespread repression. On Saturday, Wine said he was forced to flee his home to avoid a joint police and military raid, adding that his wife and family were placed under house arrest.
While the internet shutdown drew international condemnation, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, leading an African Union observer mission, said the blackout disrupted the ability to effectively monitor the polls. Jonathan reported that while Election Day was peaceful, the environment was clouded by reports of intimidation and abductions of civil society members.
In the days surrounding the vote, the capital of Kampala saw a heavy security presence. In the town of Butambala, local officials reported at least seven deaths following clashes between police and what they described as machete-wielding goons. Opposition leaders claimed the death toll was 10 and that the victims were targeted at a lawmaker’s home.
The 40-year leader has twice changed the constitution to remove age and term limits, allowing him to remain in office. His National Resistance Movement party also held a commanding lead in parliamentary results Saturday as counting continued.
