Expert warns African elections steadily losing public trust.

Dr William Mpofu, Senior Research Associate at Good Governance Africa focusing on the SADC region, warns that elections in parts of Africa are steadily losing public trust. He says polls are no longer widely viewed as a credible or fair mechanism to negotiate and share political power, with opposition parties often facing a deliberately uneven playing field. His remarks come as early results from Uganda’s presidential election show President Yoweri Museveni in a commanding lead, amid disputed reports of post-election violence. Museveni, now 81 and in power since 1986, is seeking another decisive mandate after a campaign overshadowed by clashes at opposition rallies. Provisional results from nearly half of polling stations put him on 76.25 percent, while main challenger and musician Bobi Wine follows on 19.85 percent, with six other candidates sharing the remainder.  Dr. William J. Mpofu is a senior researcher at the University of the Witwatersrand Centre for Diversity Studies and a senior research associate of Good Governance Africa (GGA) specializing in the SADC region.