Uganda votes in poll expected to extend Museveni's rule

Ugandans have started voting in elections expected to return leader Yoweri Museveni to power, but which could turn nasty as the opposition has warned street protests if the poll was deemed rigged.

Reuters

Many voting stations in the capital Kampala and outside opened late due to voting equipment still being set up.

Museveni and his challenger Kizza Besigye are both confident they will win the vote outright, says correspondent Patricia Okoed Bukumunhe.

“Neither candidate is considering a run-off, both incumbent president Yoweri Musevini and Kizza Besigye are confident they will win the vote outright,” says Okoed Bukumunhe.

Museveni has predicted a 70 per cent win for himself, while Besigye has promised to release his own results and call for street demonstrations if he believes irregularities have taken place.

If Museveni wins the election, a new term at the helm of the east African country would extend his rule to 30 years.