Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has been declared the winner of Thursday’s presidential election, securing another five-year term and extending his nearly 40 years in power.
The Electoral Commission announced that Museveni garnered 72% of the vote, while his closest challenger, opposition leader Bobi Wine, received 25%.
Wine rejected the outcome, alleging “fake results” and “ballot stuffing,” though he did not provide evidence to support the claims. The authorities have not formally responded, and African Union election observers said they saw “no evidence of ballot stuffing.”
Museveni, 81, first took power in 1986 after leading a rebel movement and has since won seven elections. Electoral Commission chair Simon Byabakama urged supporters of all candidates to accept the results and embrace national unity.
The election period was marked by tension and reports of violence. Wine, a 43-year-old former pop star turned politician, said at least 21 people had been killed in election-related incidents in recent days. Authorities have confirmed seven deaths.
Celebrations following the announcement were muted, with many roads in the capital, Kampala, largely empty and businesses closed. However, sporadic violence was reported in several neighbourhoods.
Internet access has been suspended nationwide since Tuesday, a move the government said was aimed at preventing misinformation, fraud, and incitement to violence. The blackout was condemned by the UN human rights office as “deeply worrying,” while Wine demanded that services be restored. Leading the African Union observer mission, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, also called on the government to refrain from suspending internet access and denounced reports of intimidation, arrests, and abductions that he said undermined public trust in the electoral process.
Wine has called for non-violent protests and claimed he was placed under house arrest. In a statement posted on Facebook, he said he had evaded an attempt to detain him, though police have not confirmed this. Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said access to certain areas, including Wine’s residence, had been restricted due to “security interests.”
Wine has positioned himself as a voice for Uganda’s youth, who make up the majority of the population, campaigning on promises to tackle corruption and implement sweeping reforms. Museveni, by contrast, argued that his leadership remains essential to maintaining stability in a country with a history of conflict.
Six other candidates contested the presidency, each receiving less than 2% of the vote. Voter turnout was reported at 52.5%. The campaign period was marred by accusations that security forces disrupted opposition activities and detained supporters, claims the police have denied, accusing opposition groups of provoking unrest.