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Uganda election: President Museveni seeks to extend rule Uganda election: apology over voting delays
(about 5 hours later)
People across Uganda have begun voting in presidential elections, with incumbent Yoweri Museveni seeking to extend his 30-year rule. Uganda's electoral commission has apologised over delays in opening polling stations as people queue to vote in crucial elections.
Seven opposition candidates are taking part in the race - widely seen as the tightest in the country's history. Difficulties in transporting electoral materials caused the delays, it said.
Mr Museveni's two main challengers are veteran opposition leader Kizza Besigye and former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi. President Yoweri Museveni, 71, is seeking to extend his 30-year rule, in a race widely seen as the tightest in the East African state's history.
Ugandans are also voting in parliamentary and local elections. Seven opposition candidates are running against him. His main challenger is his former physician, Kizza Besigye.
Mr Besigye has said he does not think the election will be free and fair.
Uganda decides: Live updates
Uganda's election explainedUganda's election explained
Polls opened at 04:00 GMT on Thursday. More than 15 million people are eligible to cast their ballots. Former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi is also seen as a leading contender for the presidency.
The electoral commission said that despite the delays, voting will not be extended.
A candidate needs to secure more than 50% of the vote to win outright and avoid a run-off with the second-ranked contender.A candidate needs to secure more than 50% of the vote to win outright and avoid a run-off with the second-ranked contender.
Ugandans are also voting in parliamentary and local elections.
Human rights groups have reported an intensifying government crackdown on opposition leaders, their supporters and the media during the election campaign.Human rights groups have reported an intensifying government crackdown on opposition leaders, their supporters and the media during the election campaign.
Mr Museveni, 71, has been in office since winning a five-year guerrilla war in 1986, and he is one of Africa's longest-serving leaders. One person was killed on Monday in clashes between Mr Besigye's supporters and the security forces in the capital, Kampala.
Mr Museveni has been in office since winning a five-year guerrilla war in 1986, and he is one of Africa's longest-serving leaders.
His final term was meant to end in 2006, but in 2005 he won a campaign to lift the constitutional term limits.His final term was meant to end in 2006, but in 2005 he won a campaign to lift the constitutional term limits.
Mr Besigye has unsuccessfully challenged his former comrade-in-arms in the last three presidential electionsMr Besigye has unsuccessfully challenged his former comrade-in-arms in the last three presidential elections
Mr Mbabazi is another former ally of President Museveni. He served as prime minister in 2011-2014, when he was dismissed after announcing he would launch a rival presidential bid.Mr Mbabazi is another former ally of President Museveni. He served as prime minister in 2011-2014, when he was dismissed after announcing he would launch a rival presidential bid.
During the election campaign the two opposition candidates accused the president of corruption and criticised his economic policies.During the election campaign the two opposition candidates accused the president of corruption and criticised his economic policies.
Mr Museveni dismissed the allegations as fiction.Mr Museveni dismissed the allegations as fiction.
Major issues for voters also include persistently high unemployment and poor quality of public services.Major issues for voters also include persistently high unemployment and poor quality of public services.