Mbabazi on polls: the ground was not levelled

Independent Presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi has spoken out on the February 18 presidential election where he emerged third with 132,574 votes representing 1.48%.

"From the start of the presidential campaigns, the ground was not levelled on all various fronts. The same has been reiterated by both local international election observers in their preliminary reports. My efforts to conduct public consultations in September 2015 were illegally blocked by State agents, infringing on my rights as a Presidential Candidate aspirant to consult the electorate," Mbabazi said in a statement.

He added: "This illuminates that this election was fraudulently flawed and that the announced results were not a reflection of the will of Ugandan people."

 President Yoweri Museveni

President Yoweri Museveni on Sunday dismissed opposition claims of poll rigging and criticism by the international community.

"The opposition are not leaders, they are just demagogues, liars, just talking, talking," the 71-year-old Museveni said from his home in Rwakitura, his first comments since winning.

Museveni was on Saturday evening declared winner of the 2016 presidential elections.

Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr. Badru Kiggundu, announced the results from a contest of seven men and a woman. 

Besigye during a press conference

Museveni, the NRM chairperson, polled 5,617,503 votes representing a 60.75% 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.

FDC's Dr. Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate and retired army colonel, received 3,270,290 votes representing a 35.3%.

Former Prime Minister, Amama Mbabazi, came third with 132,574 votes (1.4%) and Dr. Abed Bwanika followed with 0.93% of votes cast.

Other contestants included former Makerere University vice chancellor, Prof. Venansius Baryamureba (0.55%), Maureen Kyalya (0.44%), Maj. Gen. Benon Biraro (0.27%) and Joseph Mabirizi (0.26%).

With 15,277,198 registered voters, the 9.2 million voters who turned up for presidential elections represent 63% voter turnout.