Vote counting underway in Uganda: Updates

Voters queued to cast their ballots in Uganda's presidential election on Thursday, following a run-up tainted by widespread violence that some fear could escalate as security forces try to stop supporters of leading opposition challenger Bobi Wine from monitoring polling stations.

In the election, Wine, a popular young singer-turned-opposition lawmaker, and nine other challengers are challenging incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, a 76-year old who has wielded power since 1986.

Internet remains cut off across the east African country. Opposition presidential candidates have also reported that they cannot make or receive calls.

Welcome to our live updates. This is Ronald Kato

17:00 GMT

Election commission chief addresses press

Simon Byabakama, head of the elections authority said the internet blackout in the country would not affect the transmission of results as the commission is 'not relying on local internet', NTV reported.

15:30 GMT

Vote counting underway

Local journalists report that President Museveni won at his polling station with a landslide.

The electoral commission is expected to give its first results update at 17:00 GMT.

14:00 GMT

Security forces raid independent vote tally centre

Security forces stormed a centre used to tally results in Kampala, confiscating computers and arresting 20 individuals.

The electoral commission has warned parties and candidates from counting results themselves, saying only it has the mandate to tally and declare vote results.

13:00 GMT

Voting officially closes

Polls officially closed at 4pm local time (13:00GMT). The electoral commission however allows those found lining up before close of voting to cast their ballots.

President Yoweri Museveni votes

Local broadcaster NTV reported that incumbent President Yoweri Museveni voted in his home district in Western Uganda minutes before polls closed.

“I will accept the results of the election so long as there are no mistakes made in the process,” Museveni said after voting.