Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, 81, has secured a seventh term in office, extending his rule that began in 1986.
The Electoral Commission announced on Saturday, January 17, 2026, that Museveni won 71.65 percent of the vote in the Thursday, January 15, 2026, presidential election, while opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, widely known as Bobi Wine, received 24.72 percent.
The election also confirmed the continued dominance of Museveni’s National Resistance Movement (NRM) in parliament, reinforcing its control of the legislature.
The vote was held under tense conditions, marked by nationwide internet disruptions, technical problems with voter verification, and reports of intimidation.
Opposition supporters accused authorities of restricting access to polling stations and confining Bobi Wine’s residence.
The opposition has rejected the results as fraudulent and signaled plans to challenge them legally while urging peaceful demonstrations.
Technical delays, including malfunctioning biometric voter machines, forced officials in some areas to revert to manual registers, raising concerns about the credibility of the process.
Reports of harassment against opposition agents and civil society observers, along with several election-related deaths, contributed to a tense post-election atmosphere.
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Museveni’s extended tenure follows constitutional amendments that removed age and term limits, enabling him to contest elections into his eighties.
Supporters cite economic stability and continuity as achievements of his administration, while critics warn that prolonged rule and the consolidation of state institutions have weakened democratic norms.
With legal disputes expected and tensions persisting, Uganda faces an uncertain post-election period.
The opposition has called for citizens to reject what it views as a manipulated outcome, while the government insists the election reflects the will of the people.
Regional and international observers continue to monitor developments closely.