Museveni Declared Winner of Seventh Term as Uganda Election Sparks Mixed Reactions

January 19, 2026

Supporters of Uganda’s long-serving President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni poured onto the streets of the capital Kampala on Saturday to celebrate after electoral authorities declared him the winner of a seventh term in office.

According to official results released by the Electoral Commission, President Museveni secured more than 71.6 percent of the total votes cast in the highly contested presidential election. His closest challenger, opposition leader Bobi Wine, received 24.7 percent of the vote.

However, Wine has rejected the outcome, describing the results as fraudulent and accusing authorities of widespread irregularities.

The election, which drew intense domestic and international attention, recorded a voter turnout of just 52 percent — the lowest participation rate in Uganda since 2006. Election observers and civil society groups reported that the poll was marred by violence, arrests, intimidation and alleged abductions that created an atmosphere of fear in parts of the country.

Despite the controversy, Museveni’s supporters expressed satisfaction with the outcome, citing peace, stability and access to education as key reasons for backing the veteran leader.

Charity worker Jane Atuku, celebrating in Kampala, said her decision to vote for Museveni was made freely and without coercion.

“Why do I support President Museveni?” she asked. “I have been able to get education. I got education from UPE schools — that is universal education — all the way to university.”

Museveni, now 81 years old, has ruled Uganda since 1986 after taking power at the end of a five-year guerrilla war. Over nearly four decades, he has become one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.

During his time in office, constitutional term limits and age restrictions were removed, allowing him to continue contesting elections beyond what was originally permitted. Several of his political rivals over the years have been jailed, exiled or sidelined, a development critics say has weakened Uganda’s democratic institutions.

Nevertheless, many of his supporters credit him with transforming the country after years of instability in the 1970s and early 1980s.

“President Yoweri Museveni is a good leader for 35 years,” said Annet Muigyaala, a chef and longtime supporter. “Since I was born, I have never seen wars in Uganda. He has brought peace. He has built houses for people, many have become rich, and women have peace of work — they are working.”

The celebrations in Kampala contrasted sharply with anger and frustration among opposition supporters, particularly in urban centres where Bobi Wine enjoys strong backing.

Wine, whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, is a 43-year-old musician-turned-politician who has emerged as the most formidable challenger to Museveni’s rule in recent years. He has accused security agencies of ballot stuffing, voter suppression and harassment of his campaign team.

Throughout the election period, Wine said his movements were closely monitored by security forces. He often campaigned wearing a flak jacket and helmet, citing concerns for his personal safety.

According to the opposition, security personnel used tear gas to disperse supporters at campaign rallies, while several party activists were arrested or went missing in the weeks leading up to polling day.

One of the most controversial aspects of the election was a nationwide internet blackout that lasted four days, beginning on the eve of voting. Authorities defended the shutdown as a security measure, but critics described it as an attempt to restrict communication and limit independent reporting.

In addition, the failure of biometric voter identification machines disrupted voting in several areas, including parts of Kampala. Long delays were reported at polling stations, forcing some voters to wait for hours or abandon the process entirely.

Election observers say the malfunctioning equipment likely contributed to the historically low voter turnout.

The Electoral Commission acknowledged technical difficulties but insisted that the problems did not compromise the credibility of the final results.

Bobi Wine has indicated that he is considering a legal challenge to contest the declared outcome. Under Uganda’s constitution, a presidential election petition must be filed within a specified time after results are announced.

However, previous court challenges by opposition candidates have failed to overturn Museveni’s earlier victories, although judges have repeatedly recommended electoral reforms to improve transparency and fairness.

Legal experts note that the failure of biometric identification machines, combined with the internet shutdown and reported security abuses, could form the basis of any court petition.

International observers, including diplomatic missions and human rights organisations, have expressed concern over the conduct of the election, urging Ugandan authorities to uphold democratic freedoms and ensure accountability.

Despite the criticism, Museveni has pledged to continue focusing on economic growth, infrastructure development, regional security and industrialisation during his new term.

In a brief post-election address, he thanked Ugandans for their support and called for unity, urging those dissatisfied with the outcome to pursue grievances through legal channels rather than violence.

As Uganda enters another five-year political cycle under the same leadership, the election has once again highlighted deep divisions between supporters who prioritise stability and opponents demanding political change.

While celebrations continue among Museveni loyalists, questions remain over electoral reforms, democratic space and the future of opposition politics in the East African nation.

For many Ugandans, the 2025 election has reinforced long-standing debates about governance, generational leadership and the balance between stability and democracy — conversations that are likely to persist well beyond the final vote count.