President Museveni has congratulated his Congolese counterpart, President Felix Tshisekedi, upon re-election.
Tshisekedi was re-elected for a second term on Sunday after garnering 73% of the vote, giving him a commanding lead over his 18 challengers, according to the country’s election commission, CENI.
“I take this opportunity, on behalf of the Ugandans, to congratulate H.E Felix Tshisekedi on winning the electoral contest in Congo, as announced by the Electoral Commission,” Museveni said in a congratulatory message.
He said H.E Tshisekedi has positively contributed to the efforts of the region by bringing Congo into the East African Community and by allowing UPDF to work with the Congo Army in dismantling the ADF in Eastern Congo.
“We look forward to more brotherly cooperation with the People and the government of Congo.”
However, opposition leader, Moise Katumbi, who garnered 18% of the ballots cast, and eight other opposition candidates signed a declaration on Sunday rejecting the results and calling for the vote to be held again.
“We categorically reject the sham election […] and its results,” the main opposition candidates said in a joint declaration. “We call on our people to take to the streets en masse after the proclamation of the electoral fraud.”
“It’s a farce, don’t accept [the results],” said Martin Fayulu, who finished third.
Katumbi, however, has already ruled out mounting a legal challenge to the CENI’s results, citing the alleged lack of independence of state institutions.
Barring any legal issues, Tshisekedi will be sworn in for a second term on January 20.
In an address to his supporters, Tshisekedi promised to address inequalities in his second term.
“You believed in my commitment not to spare any effort so that our country will retake its rightful place and so that the Congolese people will recover their pride and dignity in belonging to this country,” he said on Sunday.
“You believed in my fight against inequalities that have for a long time characterized our society,” he said.
Additional Reporting by DW