Uganda election: Vote counting underway as Museveni takes early lead
Friday February 19 2016
Electoral Commission presiding officers count ballot papers in Kampala on February 18, 2016, during presidential and parliamentary elections. AFP PHOTO | ISAAC KASAMANI
The incumbent and ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party presidential candidate Yoweri Museveni took an early lead in the country's election, preliminary results from the Electoral Commission showed on Friday.
The commission has so far released results from 10,247 polling stations out of a total 28,010 stations.
Museveni garnered 2,191,283 ballots, representing 62.03 per cent followed by Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential contender and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party candidate with 1,182,052 votes, representing 33.46 per cent.
Provisional results for other presidential candidates are as follows.
Independent candidate Amama Mbabazi garnered 60,694 votes (1.72 per cent).
Dr Abed Bwanika, a veterinary doctor and the People’s Development Party (PDP) candidate got 35,487 votes (1 per cent).
Independent candidate, Prof Venansius Baryamureeba garnered 23,380 votes (0.66 per cent).
Ms Maureen Walube Kyalya, the only female candidate in the race got 18,444 votes (0.52 per cent).
Major General Benon Biraaro, the Farmer's Party of Uganda candidate received 11,176 (0.32 per cent).
Elton Joseph Mabirizi, an Independent candidate and gospel evangelist managed 10,266 (0.29 per cent).
The Electoral Commission is releasing the results at its tally centre at Mandera National Stadium, Namboole with the chairman Kiggundu expected to announce the winner of the 2016 presidential election on Saturday.