Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has been declared the winner of Thursday’s election, extending his nearly four decades in power by another five years.
The election commission said Museveni won 72% of the vote, compared with 25% for his closest challenger, Bobi Wine, who rejected the outcome and described the results as “fake.” He has not provided any evidence and the authorities have not responded to his allegations.
Wine called on Ugandans to stage nonviolent protests.
Museveni, 81, first took power as a rebel leader in 1986 and has since won seven elections.
The election process was marred by violence, according to Wine, a 43-year-old former pop star, who said at least 21 people were killed during the period surrounding the vote. Authorities have so far confirmed seven deaths.
Internet access has been cut nationwide since Tuesday, making independent verification of information difficult.
Authorities said the blackout was necessary to prevent misinformation, fraud and the incitement of violence, a move the U.N. human rights office condemned as “deeply worrying.”
Wine has demanded that internet services be restored.