Uganda’s long-serving President Yoweri Museveni has been declared the winner of Thursday’s presidential election, securing another five-year term and extending his rule to nearly four decades.
The Electoral Commission announced that Museveni won 72 percent of the vote, defeating his main challenger, opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, who received 25 percent. Six other candidates shared the remaining votes, none surpassing two percent. Voter turnout was placed at 52.5 percent.
Bobi Wine swiftly rejected the outcome, branding the results “fake” and alleging widespread ballot stuffing. He did not provide evidence to support the claims, and the authorities have yet to formally respond. However, African Union election observers said they found “no evidence of ballot stuffing” during their monitoring of the polls. Despite disputing the results, Wine urged his supporters to engage only in non-violent protest.
Museveni, 81, first took power in 1986 after leading a rebel movement and has since won seven presidential elections. In his campaigns, he presented himself as the country’s main pillar of stability, pointing to Uganda’s past conflicts as justification for continuity in leadership.
The election period was overshadowed by reports of violence and heavy security presence. Wine, a 43-year-old former pop star who has galvanized younger voters, claimed that at least 21 people were killed nationwide in election-related incidents. Authorities have so far confirmed seven deaths.
While announcing the results, Electoral Commission chairperson Simon Byabakama called on Ugandans to remain calm, urging supporters of all political camps to accept the outcome and prioritize national unity.
In Kampala, the atmosphere following the announcement was subdued. Major roads were largely deserted, many businesses remained shut, and celebrations were limited. Nevertheless, reports of sporadic violence emerged from several neighborhoods.
The situation was further complicated by a nationwide internet shutdown imposed earlier in the week, severely limiting access to information and independent verification of events. The government defended the blackout as a necessary measure to prevent misinformation, electoral fraud, and incitement to violence. The United Nations human rights office criticized the move as “deeply worrying,” while Bobi Wine demanded the immediate restoration of internet services.
Leading the African Union observer mission, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan publicly urged Ugandan authorities to avoid suspending internet access around elections. He also condemned reports of intimidation, arrests, and abductions, warning that such actions foster fear and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
Concerns over Wine’s safety and freedom intensified after his aides claimed security forces entered his residence on election night. His assistant, Dan Magic, told the BBC that Wine’s whereabouts were unknown at one point. Wine had earlier said he was under house arrest and later posted on Facebook that he had narrowly avoided being seized. Police have not confirmed these claims. However, police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said Wine’s movements were restricted because his residence had been designated an area of “security interest,” citing the need to prevent gatherings that could lead to unrest.
Bobi Wine has positioned himself as a voice for Uganda’s youth, in a country where the majority of the population is under 30. Throughout the campaign, he pledged to fight corruption and push for major political and economic reforms. His campaign, however, faced repeated disruptions, with security forces accused of assaulting and detaining his supporters, allegations police officials have denied, instead accusing opposition backers of provoking disorder.
As Uganda enters another Museveni term, the disputed election, internet restrictions, and allegations of repression have raised fresh questions about democratic space, civil liberties, and political stability in the country.
