Uganda's Museveni Takes Large Lead in Presidential Vote

A poll worker holds up a ballot as vote counting begins in Kampala, February 18, 2011

Early results from Uganda's presidential election show incumbent Yoweri Museveni with a large lead, but his top rival is complaining about the voting-counting process.

Election officials reported Saturday that Mr. Museveni had won about 71 percent of the vote from Friday's election. His chief rival, Kissa Besigye, had about 23 percent.

Results were based on a tally of a quarter of the polling stations.

Mr. Museveni is bidding to win a fourth term that would extend his rule in Uganda to 30 years. His former physician, Mr. Besigye, is challenging him for the third time.

Mr. Besigye plans to release his own vote tally and has threatened to call for street protests if his results do not match the election commission's numbers. He has warned that Uganda is ready for an Egyptian-style revolt.

Before Friday's election, Mr. Besigye accused the government of trying to rig the vote. President Museveni denied the charge.

Ugandans also voted Friday to elect members of parliament. About 14 million Ugandans were registered to vote in the presidential and parliamentary elections. These were the fourth elections in Uganda since the return of multi-party polls in 1996.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.