Yoweri Musveni was declared the winner of a Jan 14 presidential election
KAMPALA, Jan 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Internet was partially restored in Uganda on Monday after a near-total blackout was imposed across the country ahead of elections the opposition says were rigged.
The gradual easing of internet curbs came as police announced dozens of arrests for alleged election-related violence, and surrounded the headquarters of the main opposition party whose leader is under effective house arrest.
Long-term leader Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner of a Jan 14 presidential election, securing 58.6 percent of the vote and a sixth term after 35 years in power.
His main rival, musician-turned-lawmaker Bobi Wine, came a distant second with 34.8 percent. He has rejected the results and decried the election as a sham.
A government spokesman said an unprecedented internet shutdown imposed on Jan 13 for alleged national security reasons had been lifted.
“The internet has been restored. Other platforms are still under review,” Ofwono Opondo, the spokesman, said.
“We shall go full throttle depending on what happens in the initial phase of opening connectivity… We advise internet users, especially those from the opposition, not to use it to promote hate messages, threats” and intimidation.
Social media access remained patchy in the capital Kampala, where millions of internet users have been unable to send emails, search the web, or use Facebook, WhatsApp and other communication platforms for the better part of a week.
The headquarters of Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) in Kampala was under police guard Monday in what the opposition leader called a “raid” by security forces.
“Museveni after committing the most vile election fraud in history has resorted to the most despicable forms of intimidation,” Wine tweeted.
Uganda police spokesman Fred Enanga said 55 people had been arrested over the election period for “violent acts” including blocking highways and damaging property.
“Though the polls were peaceful and a success, there were criminal elements that wanted to cause violence,” he said, adding the accused would face court.
The runup to polling day was marred by bloodshed and a sustained crackdown on government critics and Museveni’s rivals.
At least 54 people were shot dead in November over two days of street protests over Wine’s arrest, and the opposition leader was repeatedly detained and his rallies broken up with tear gas and live rounds.
Wine was the frontrunner of 10 opposition candidates running against the veteran leader, who has ruled uninterrupted since taking power as a rebel leader in 1986. — NNN-AGENCIES
