Kampala, Uganda – January 17, 2026 — Veteran Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, 81, was officially declared the winner of the January 15, 2026, presidential election, securing a seventh term in office and extending his nearly 40-year rule over the East African nation. The Uganda Electoral Commission announced the final results on Saturday, with Museveni receiving 71.65% of the vote (7,944,772 votes), while his main challenger, opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu—better known as Bobi Wine—garnered 24.72% (approximately 2,741,238 votes). The remaining votes were distributed among six other candidates in a race that international observers and human rights groups have criticized for widespread repression, intimidation, and irregularities.
Museveni, who first came to power in 1986 after leading a successful guerrilla rebellion against Milton Obote's regime, has maintained his grip on the presidency through a series of constitutional amendments. In 2005, Parliament removed presidential term limits, and in 2017, it scrapped age restrictions, allowing him to run beyond the previous 75-year cap. These changes have enabled his continued leadership, making him one of Africa's longest-serving non-royal heads of state. Supporters credit him with bringing relative stability after decades of post-independence turmoil, including Idi Amin's brutal dictatorship and subsequent conflicts, as well as fostering economic growth in sectors like agriculture, infrastructure, and regional peacekeeping.
The 2026 election, however, unfolded amid heightened tensions and significant restrictions. A nationwide internet shutdown was imposed by the Uganda Communications Commission starting January 13, 2026, ostensibly to prevent misinformation, electoral fraud, and incitement of violence. The move, condemned by the United Nations Human Rights Office as "deeply worrying," severely limited communication, independent verification of results, and the ability of citizens to organize or share information. Biometric voter verification machines reportedly failed on election day, prompting a reversion to manual paper lists—a decision Museveni endorsed but opposition figures decried as enabling "massive ballot stuffing."
Reports of violence surfaced immediately after polls closed. At least seven people were killed overnight from January 15 to 16 in Butambala, about 55 kilometers southwest of Kampala, when security forces allegedly fired live ammunition and tear gas at crowds gathered at an opposition lawmaker's home to follow results. Additional incidents contributed to a total of at least 10 deaths linked to post-election clashes and intimidation, according to local authorities and rights groups. African election observers noted that arrests, abductions, and harassment of opposition supporters and civil society had "instilled fear" throughout the campaign and voting period. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights highlighted "widespread repression and intimidation," including the use of military regulations to restrict opposition activities.
Bobi Wine, the 43-year-old musician-turned-politician and leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), emerged as Museveni's most prominent challenger. Representing a youthful demographic—Uganda has one of the world's youngest populations, with most citizens under 30—Wine campaigned on promises to combat corruption, promote reforms, and address unemployment and inequality. He has faced relentless pressure since entering politics, including multiple arrests, beatings, and charges during his 2021 presidential bid, where he officially received about 35% of the vote amid similar allegations of fraud.
In the aftermath of the 2026 declaration, Wine rejected the results as "fake" and called for peaceful protests. He posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he had escaped a police and army raid on his home on Friday night, January 16, stating, "I want to confirm that I managed to escape from them. Currently, I am not at home, although my wife and other family members remain under house arrest. I know that these criminals are looking for me everywhere, and I am trying my best to keep safe." His party initially claimed he had been "forcibly taken" by the army via helicopter to an unknown location, though police denied a raid, insisting they had only "controlled access" to his residence to prevent gatherings that could "incite violence." Police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke emphasized that authorities could not tolerate crowds using the home for such purposes.
The election's conduct has drawn sharp criticism from international bodies. Freedom House rates Uganda as "not free," noting that while regular elections occur, they lack credibility due to state control over institutions. The International Crisis Group described Museveni's dominance as "locked down" through control of security forces and the electoral apparatus. Despite the controversies, Museveni and his National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporters celebrated the victory, with crowds gathering in Kampala under heavy security presence to mark the extension of his rule until 2031.
Museveni's tenure has seen Uganda play a key role in regional security, including troop deployments to Somalia and hosting millions of refugees. However, critics point to persistent issues like corruption, limited access to education and jobs, and suppression of dissent. As the country enters a new phase under his leadership, the disputed poll underscores deep divisions between those who value stability under the incumbent and a younger generation demanding change.
With the internet blackout persisting in parts and heavy military deployment in the capital to deter unrest, the immediate focus remains on maintaining calm amid ongoing tensions. The opposition's calls for accountability and the international community's concerns highlight the challenges facing Uganda's democratic future.
