Voters queued to cast their ballots in Uganda’s presidential election on Thursday, following a run-up tainted by widespread violence that some fear could escalate as security forces try to stop supporters of leading opposition challenger Bobi Wine from monitoring polling stations.
In the election, Wine, a popular young singer-turned-opposition lawmaker, and nine other challengers are challenging incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, a 76-year old who has wielded power since 1986.
Internet remains cut off across the east African country. Opposition presidential candidates have also reported that they cannot make or receive calls.
Welcome to our live updates. This is Ronald Kato
1 hour ago (13:00 gmt)
Voting officially closes
Polls officially closed at 4pm local time (13:00GMT). The electoral commission however allows those found lining up before close of voting to cast their ballots.
President Yoweri Museveni votes
Local broadcaster NTV reported that incumbent President Yoweri Museveni voted in his home district in Western Uganda minutes before polls closed.
1 hour ago (14:00 GMT)
Security forces raid independent vote tally centre
Security forces stormed a centre used to tally results in Kampala, confiscating computers and arresting 20 individuals.
The electoral commission has warned parties and candidates from counting results themselves, saying only it has the mandate to tally and declare vote results