A senior Ugandan official on Wednesday defended the internet shutdown implemented ahead of elections, saying it was necessary to prevent "riots and misinformation."

The East African country goes to the polls on Thursday in a vote that President Yoweri Museveni will seek re-election.

The authorities shut off access to the internet on Tuesday, citing violence fears.

Presidential adviser, Hajat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, defended the move, saying: "Internet creates wars, riots, misinformation. They (authorities) had to shut down the internet because of the misinformation from different stakeholders," she told AFP.

Exudes confidence that Museveni will win

Uzeiye told AFP that President Museveni's camp expects a landmark win of "at least 70%" in the election.

She rejected allegations from opposition leader Bobi Wine, analysts, and rights groups about President Museveni's candidature.

"What they are trying to portray to the world is the element of dictatorship without giving any version of the why, the who, the where, and the what."

Museveni will face off against Bobi Wine, 43, and several other candidates in a highly anticipated presidential election on Thursday.