Kampala – Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has been declared the winner of the country’s presidential election, extending his rule to a seventh term after results released by the Electoral Commission on Saturday.
Museveni, aged 81, secured 71.65 percent of the vote, defeating his closest challenger, opposition leader Bobi Wine, who garnered 24.72 percent. The election was held on Thursday across Uganda, including the capital Kampala, amid tight security and an internet shutdown that drew criticism from within the country and beyond.
The outcome was widely anticipated following a tense campaign period that attracted concern from international observers. The United Nations reported that the pre election environment was characterised by repression and intimidation, with opposition gatherings disrupted by security forces.
Bobi Wine, a musician turned politician whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, alleged on social media on Election Day that ballot stuffing was taking place. He later said he had evaded a joint police and army operation at his home, adding that his wife and other family members were under house arrest while security forces searched for him.
Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, dismissed suggestions of a close contest ahead of the vote, saying he expected to win comfortably. Over his four decades in office, he has overseen constitutional changes that removed presidential age and term limits, allowing him to remain eligible for re election.
Election observers from the African Union and other regional bodies said they found no proof of ballot manipulation but raised concern over reports of intimidation, arrests and abductions directed at opposition supporters and civil society groups. Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who led the observer mission, said these actions created fear and weakened public confidence in the electoral process. He also noted that the internet shutdown limited effective monitoring and fuelled suspicion, even though voting day itself passed largely without incident.
Security remained heavy in Kampala following the announcement of results, as authorities sought to deter possible protests. In the town of Butambala, about 55 kilometres southwest of the capital, the opposition accused police of killing at least 10 people during an attack on the home of a local opposition lawmaker. Local officials placed the death toll at seven, with police claiming their station and a vote tallying centre were attacked by armed opposition supporters.
During the campaign period, Wine’s rallies were frequently broken up by security forces using tear gas and live ammunition. At least one person was killed and hundreds of supporters were detained.
Museveni’s National Resistance Movement was also leading in parliamentary races according to provisional figures, as vote counting continued.
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