Arthur Greene
Polls in Uganda have now closed as the dust settles on yet another presidential election that has been defined by violence and accusations of rigging.
President Yoweri Museveni, 76, has his fingers crossed that he can earn a sixth consecutive term in office.
Experts believe that lady luck will likely smile upon him once again as reports arrive that there has been a nationwide internet cutoff – just like the previous election.
He nonetheless faces strong opposition from Bobi Wine, a former reggae singer.
Wine has run his campaign on the promise to reduce Uganda’s unemployment rate, which has surged under Museveni’s leadership.
The president, on the other hand, has claimed that his political rival cannot be trusted with power because he is backed by foreign actors and homosexuals.
It is not the first time that the president, who has enacted tough anti-homosexuality laws during his time in office, has slung this accusation at a political rival.
Although results are expected on Saturday, Wine has acknowledged the hopelessness of his challenge, warning that he does not expect the election to be either free of fair.
He has urged his supporters to keep a close eye at the polls after casting their ballots to protect their votes.
Video clips which have been circulating on social media show that there has been a huge military presence since polls opened on Wednesday.
By Thursday evening, preliminary results show – surprise, surprise – that Museveni holds a steady lead over Wine.
Video: @solomonking
