Kizza Besigye rejects Musevenis victory

Uganda’s main opposition candidate Kizza Besigye on Saturday rejected President Yoweri Museveni’s victory in the country’s presidential election, saying the poll was a “sham”.

“We have just witnessed what must be the most fraudulent electoral process in Uganda,” Besigye said in a statement. He also called for an independent audit of the results.

Museveni won 60.8 percent of the vote while Besigye secured 35.4 percent, Uganda’s electoral commission said on Saturday.

Museveni has won Uganda’s presidential election,cementing his 30-year grip on power in the East African nation.

“The commission declares Yoweri Kaguta Museveni elected President of the Republic of Uganda,” commission chairman Badru Kiggundu said.

European Union and Commonwealth observers have criticised the poll.

Museveni brought calm and stability to Uganda after decades of chaos at the hands of leaders Idi Amin and Milton Obote, but many opposition voters accuse the former guerrilla fighter of becoming increasingly autocratic and wanting to rule for life.