Ugandan opposition will challenge election result

Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine's party will challenge President Yoweri Museveni's election victory.

Speaking in a news conference on Sunday (January 17), National Unity Party's Maathias Mpuuga also condemned what it called the house arrest of Wine and his wife.

"We have evidence of ballot stuffing and other forms of election malpractice and after putting it together we are going to take all measures, I repeat, all measures, that the law permits to challenge this fraud."

Heavy security was seen near Wine's compound after election results were announced

On Saturday, the electoral commission declared Museveni the winner of Thursday's vote, with the final counts showing the president won 59% of votes to Wine's 35%.

76-year-old Museveni has been in power since 1986 and is one of Africa's longest-serving leaders.

In his victory speech, he reiterated a pre-election message that his government would deal decisively with anyone who disrupted peace in the country.

"I think this may turn out to be the most cheating-free election since 1962."

Bobi Wine, a 38-year-old musician-turned-lawmaker, was not reachable on Sunday.

But he told Reuters on Friday and Saturday that he believed his life was in danger.

His party also said one of its MPs, Francis Zaake, was arrested on Friday while trying to access their leader's compound.

A party spokesman said he was hospitalized after being beaten by security forces,

Police, military and government did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The campaign and election were marked by a deadly crackdown by security forces on opposition candidates and their supporters.

An internet shutdown was also in place.

The U.S. and Britain issued statements calling for investigations into concerns over the electoral process.