Uganda’s Electoral Commission has released early results from the presidential election, showing President Yoweri Museveni in the lead with 61.7 percent of the votes counted so far.
The chairman of the Electoral Commission, Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, said that 23,049 valid votes have been counted, along with 796 invalid votes. President Museveni, who is 81 years old, is seeking another term after ruling Uganda for nearly 40 years.
Byabakama said the election was generally peaceful and that vote counting has already finished in many areas. He called on all candidates, their supporters, and election officials to remain calm and patient as the final results are announced.
Voting took place amid an internet shutdown and some technical problems, which attracted strong attention from both Ugandans and the international community.
President Museveni has been in power since 1986 and is Africa’s longest-serving leader. He is aiming to extend his long stay in office.
The Electoral Commission said it will continue announcing results as counting progresses.
