Uganda's long-serving leader, Yoweri Museveni, has secured a seventh term in office following a tense presidential election held on Thursday, January 15, 2026. The country's electoral commission declared the 81-year-old president the winner, extending his four-decade grip on power for another five years.
Election Results and Opposition Allegations
According to the official announcement, President Museveni gained 72 per cent of the total votes cast. His closest challenger, the pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, received 25 per cent. The remaining votes were shared among six other candidates.
Bobi Wine has vehemently rejected the outcome, labelling the results as "fake" and accusing the authorities of ballot stuffing. He called for non-violent protests against what he described as a fraudulent process. However, the opposition leader has not yet provided detailed evidence to support his claims, and government authorities have remained silent on the allegations.
Observers' Report and Voting Day Challenges
Election observers from the African Union stated they saw "no evidence of ballot stuffing" during their monitoring mission. Despite this, the voting day was marred by significant logistical problems.
Voting was delayed by up to four hours in numerous polling stations. These delays were attributed to the late delivery of ballot boxes and the malfunction of biometric voter verification machines. Some analysts linked these technical issues to a nationwide internet blackout that was imposed just days before the election.
Campaign Violence and Internet Shutdown
The campaign period leading up to the vote was reportedly turbulent. Opposition activities faced frequent disruption, with security forces accused of assaulting and detaining supporters of Bobi Wine. Police spokesperson Rusoke dismissed these complaints, counter-accusing opposition supporters of being disruptive.
In a move criticised by rights groups, the Ugandan government suspended internet access across the country on Tuesday, January 13. The Uganda Communications Commission defended the blackout, saying it was necessary to prevent misinformation, fraud, and the incitement of violence. The United Nations Human Rights Office condemned the shutdown as "deeply worrying."
Museveni's Enduring Political Dominance
This election solidifies Yoweri Museveni's position as one of Africa's longest-serving leaders. He first seized power as a rebel leader in 1986 and has since won every presidential election. The 2026 race was widely seen as a contest between the old guard, represented by Museveni who promised stability, and a new generation championed by the 43-year-old Bobi Wine, who campaigned on anti-corruption and reform.
The electoral commission confirmed that the final presidential result was announced by 16:00 local time (13:00 GMT) on Saturday, January 17, 2026, as scheduled.
