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Yoweri Museveni

KAMPALA. – President Yoweri Museveni was on Saturday evening declared the winner of the 2016 presidential elections. Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr Badru Kiggundu, announced the results from a contest of seven men and a woman. President Museveni, the NRM chairperson, polled 5 617 503 votes representing a 60,75 percent of the 9,2 million votes cast.

“The Electoral Commission declares Yoweri Kaguta Museveni elected President of the Republic of Uganda on the presidential elections held on February 18, 2016,” Kiggundu announced.

Besigye, a retired army colonel, received 3 270 290 votes representing a 35,3 percent. Former prime minister Amama Mbabazi came third with 132 574 votes or 1,4 percent and Dr Abed Bwanika followed with 0,93 percent of votes cast.

With 15 277 198 registered voters, the 9,2 million voters who turned up for the presidential elections represent 63 precent voter turnout. The results show an improvement of Besigye by 9,3 percent from the 2011 polls, with his resurgence in all regions of the country significantly pushing his figures up.

NRM secretary-general Justine Kasule Lumumba attributed the victory to “improved service delivery and security”. “In the next five years, government will make issues concerning youths such as creating employment take centre stage. We shall retrain graduates yet to be absorbed in the job market and through microfinance help those interested in starting their own jobs,” Lumumba said.

President Museveni’s fresh term, which is expected to come to a close in May 2021, will push his presidency to 35 years. The 2016 presidential election has been the most competitive since 2006 when Museveni, for the first time since 1996, saw his support dip below 60 percent of the votes cast. – New Vision