Uganda has officially confirmed President Yoweri Museveni as the winner of the 2026 presidential election, extending his leadership of the East African nation beyond three decades following a closely watched and highly contested vote.
The announcement was made by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Simon Byabakama, who declared that the incumbent secured the highest number of valid votes cast nationwide.
According to the commission’s final tally, President Museveni received more than 7.9 million votes, placing him ahead of all rival candidates and surpassing the constitutional requirement of obtaining over 50 percent of the total valid votes cast.
“Having obtained the highest number of votes in the election and the votes cast in his favour being more than 50 percent of the total valid votes cast at the election, the Commission hereby declares Candidate Yoweri Museveni as the winner of the election,” Mr Byabakama stated during the official results announcement in Kampala.
The commission disclosed that approximately 11.4 million Ugandans participated in Thursday’s nationwide poll, representing a voter turnout of 52.50 percent of registered voters.
President Museveni, who first came to power in 1986 after a protracted guerrilla war, has now secured another term, reinforcing his position as one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. His continued leadership has been a defining feature of Uganda’s political landscape for nearly four decades.
The election, however, was conducted under tense political conditions, with reports of an internet shutdown, heightened security deployment, and restrictions on civil society organisations during the voting period.
Access to major social media platforms and messaging services was limited across the country on election day, a move authorities described as necessary to preserve national security and prevent the spread of misinformation. Critics, however, argued that the blackout curtailed transparency and restricted the free flow of information.
Several local and international observer groups also raised concerns about the operating environment for civil society organisations, media outlets, and opposition actors before and during the polls.
Despite these concerns, the Electoral Commission maintained that the election was conducted in accordance with Uganda’s constitutional framework and electoral laws, insisting that voting, counting, and tallying processes were largely peaceful.
President Museveni’s campaign was built around themes of economic stability, infrastructure expansion, regional security, and continuity of government programs. His supporters credit his administration with maintaining relative stability in a region frequently affected by conflict and political upheaval.
Over the years, Museveni’s government has invested heavily in road networks, energy production, agriculture modernisation, and regional trade integration, particularly within the East African Community.
However, critics argue that his long tenure has weakened democratic institutions, citing constitutional amendments that removed presidential age limits and term limits, thereby enabling him to contest successive elections.
Opposition leaders had earlier accused the government of intimidation, misuse of state resources, and unequal campaign conditions. Some have already signalled intentions to challenge the results through legal channels, alleging irregularities in vote transmission and tallying.
The Electoral Commission has urged aggrieved parties to seek redress through the courts rather than through street protests, emphasising that Uganda’s judicial system remains the appropriate forum for resolving electoral disputes.
Security forces have since increased patrols in major cities, including Kampala, to maintain public order following the announcement of the results.
Regional leaders and international partners are expected to issue formal statements in the coming days as Uganda transitions into another political cycle under President Museveni’s leadership.
Political analysts say the 2026 election outcome reflects both the enduring strength of Museveni’s political machinery and the persistent divisions within Uganda’s opposition landscape.
While the president continues to enjoy strong support in rural areas, particularly among older voters, urban centres and younger demographics increasingly express demands for political reform, accountability, and generational change.
Uganda’s youthful population, with more than 70 percent under the age of 30, remains a critical factor shaping the country’s political future.
As the nation looks ahead, key priorities for the new administration are expected to include job creation, inflation control, education expansion, healthcare delivery, and managing public debt amid global economic pressures.
The confirmation of Museveni’s victory marks yet another defining chapter in Uganda’s modern political history, reinforcing continuity while renewing debate about governance, democracy, and leadership succession in the country.
With regional stability, economic recovery, and social cohesion high on the national agenda, attention now shifts to how the president’s new term will address the expectations of a rapidly changing society.
For Uganda, the 2026 election has once again underscored the complex balance between political continuity and the growing call for democratic reform in one of Africa’s most strategically important nations.
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