A Ugandan police officer unloads poll containers from a truck at a polling station arrange in entrance of an electoral billboard supporting Uganda’s incumbent president Yoweri Museveni in Kampala on Jan. 15, 2026.
LUIS TATO/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
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LUIS TATO/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
LAGOS, Nigeria — Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has been declared the winner of presidential elections, extending his four-decade grip on energy.
The vote happened beneath a government-imposed web blackout and was marred by studies of lethal violence and widespread intimidation.
The principle opposition candidate, Bobi Wine, condemned the polls and stated he was in hiding after police raided his residence.
On Saturday, after a 48-hour wait following the election, Uganda’s Electoral Fee chairman introduced that Museveni had received, securing his seventh time period since first coming to energy in 1986.
Museveni received with 71.65% of the vote, totaling 7,944,772 votes, whereas Robert Kyagulanyi, also called Bobi Wine, of the opposition Nationwide Unity Platform obtained 24.7%, or 2,741,238 votes.
Simon Byabakama, head of Uganda’s Electoral Fee, made the announcement.
“Having obtained the highest number of votes in the election, and with votes cast in his favor exceeding 50 percent of the valid votes, the commission hereby declares the elected President: Tibuhaburwa Kaguta Museveni.”
Museveni, 81, certainly one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, has now secured an unprecedented seventh time period. The election has been extensively condemned by rights teams, citing the web shutdown, election violence, restrictions on opposition campaigning, and the barring of a number of worldwide election observers.
Wine, 43, stated police stormed his residence late Friday night. In a put up on X, he stated he had managed to flee and accused authorities of fabricating the outcomes.
“Currently, I am not at home, although my wife and other family members remain under house arrest,” he wrote. “I know that these criminals are looking for me everywhere, and I am trying my best to keep safe.”
Uganda opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine, arrives together with his spouse to forged their votes, on election day in Kampala. on Jan. 15, 2026.
Brian Inganga/AP
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Brian Inganga/AP
Wine additionally claimed dozens of supporters from his social gathering had been killed by police, together with not less than 10 who had been monitoring the vote rely. Police disputed the declare, saying seven individuals had been killed after attacking a police station.
Addressing the media Saturday, in Kampala, the pinnacle of the East African Group Observers Mission Edda Makabagwiza additionally expressed concern.
“The Uganda communication commission issued a directive to suspend public internet access which had a direct impact on the compilation and analysis of field reports from our observers.”
Uganda has one of many youngest populations on the planet. An awesome majority of its 50 million persons are beneath age 40 and have solely ever recognized one president.
In response to a journalist in Kampala who spoke to NPR on situation of anonymity for worry of reprisals, there’s a heavy navy presence within the capital. In some areas, safety officers had been seen forcing store homeowners to shut, and the streets are largely abandoned, with many residents staying indoors amid uncertainty over what comes subsequent.
