In a dramatic and highly controversial election on January 15, 2026, President Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner of Uganda’s presidential race, securing a seventh term in office with approximately 71.65 % of the vote according to official results released by the Electoral Commission. The outcome continues the long-standing rule of Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.
The election, held amid heightened political tensions and logistical challenges, was marked by delays in voting, widespread internet blackouts, and severe criticisms from opposition figures and international observers regarding fairness and transparency. Polling stations across the country, particularly in urban areas, experienced significant delays in opening due to technical issues, including the malfunction of biometric voter machines, leading officials to extend voting hours and revert to manual registers in some locations.
The campaign period itself was fraught with contention. In the months leading up to the vote, opposition leaders, particularly Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, better known as Bobi Wine, faced significant obstacles including harassment by security forces and violent clashes. Bobi Wine, a former pop star turned politician, had campaigned on a platform of change and became a rallying figure for many younger Ugandans dissatisfied with decades of Museveni’s rule. However, his efforts were overshadowed by reports of intimidation, repression, and an internet shutdown imposed by authorities, ostensibly to curb misinformation and unrest but criticized by rights groups as anti-democratic.
On election day, the internet blackout severely restricted communication across the country, impeding voters’ ability to share information or report irregularities as they occurred. Long queues and frustrated voters were widely reported, with some waiting hours to cast their ballots. The shutdown was described by critics as a measure that favored the ruling party by limiting independent reporting and transparency.
As results began to emerge, Museveni held a commanding lead, and tensions quickly escalated into violence in several regions. In central Uganda’s Butambala district, clashes erupted between security forces and opposition supporters following reports that Museveni was maintaining a significant majority in the vote count. Local authorities reported at least seven people killed overnight in the unrest, though accounts differ on the circumstances and responsibility for the deaths.
The aftermath of the vote saw conflicting claims from both sides. Bobi Wine and his National Unity Platform alleged that security forces had surrounded his home and effectively placed him under house arrest, though police denied the claims. At one point, reports circulated that Wine had been detained or taken by the army; subsequent updates suggested he may have evaded capture amid the chaos.
Museveni’s victory was celebrated by his supporters as a continuation of stability and experience in leadership. His government has often cited economic development, regional security contributions, and internal peace as hallmarks of his long tenure. However, critics domestically and internationally view the election as deeply flawed, citing systemic repression of opposition figures, media restrictions, and structural advantages enjoyed by the incumbent’s party.
The broader context of the election highlights underlying political instability in Uganda, where constitutional changes in previous years removed age and term limits, enabling Museveni to extend his rule. Calls for democratic reform have been intensifying, particularly among younger Ugandans who make up a substantial portion of the population and have increasingly voiced dissatisfaction with the status quo.
International reactions have been cautious. Some governments acknowledged the high voter turnout and logistical execution of the election, while human rights organizations and UN representatives criticized the internet shutdown, reports of intimidation, and violent clashes before and after vote counting. The road ahead for Uganda appears uncertain, with opposition leaders urging peaceful protest and dialogue, even as the political climate remains charged and the prospect of meaningful reform continues to be debated across East Africa and beyond.
