Nairobi, Kenya, Jan 17 — Uganda’s long-serving president Yoweri Museveni has been officially declared the winner of the country’s presidential election, securing a seventh term after a vote that electoral authorities described as transparent, constitutional, and reflective of the people’s will.
The Electoral Commission of Uganda announced that Museveni, the National Resistance Movement candidate, won the January 15 poll with 71.65 percent of the vote, equivalent to about 7.9 million ballots cast in his favor. The commission said the results met all legal thresholds required for a first-round victory.
His closest challenger, opposition leader Bobi Wine, whose official name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, placed second with 24.72 percent, translating to approximately 2.7 million votes. Election officials emphasized that the margin confirmed a clear and decisive outcome under Uganda’s two-round electoral system, which requires a candidate to secure more than 50 percent to win outright.
Electoral Commission chairperson Simon Byabakama said a total of 11,366,201 votes were cast nationwide, representing a voter turnout of 52.10 percent of registered voters. He stated that tallying and verification followed statutory procedures and that results were compiled from polling stations across the country.
Several other candidates trailed far behind in the final count, including Nandala Mafabi of the Forum for Democratic Change, Mugisha Muntu of the Alliance for National Transformation, and contenders from smaller parties, none of whom crossed the three percent mark. Officials said the wide spread of results further underscored the clarity of the final outcome.
Museveni, who has led Uganda since 1986, previously won a sixth term in 2021. Government representatives say his renewed mandate reflects continued public confidence in his leadership, particularly on security, regional stability, and economic continuity.
The election was held under heightened security measures, including a temporary suspension of internet services ahead of polling day. Authorities maintained that the restrictions were precautionary, aimed at preventing misinformation and election-related violence, and insisted they did not affect the integrity of voting or vote counting.
Bobi Wine and his National Unity Platform rejected the results, alleging malpractice and intimidation of opposition agents. He called for peaceful protests and demanded the release of electoral declaration forms for public scrutiny. However, the government and electoral officials rejected claims of systemic fraud, stating that the process remained lawful and transparent throughout.
Police also dismissed reports that Wine had been abducted, saying security measures around his residence in Kampala were based on assessed security concerns. Authorities urged calm, emphasizing that disputes should be addressed through legal channels rather than unrest.
As Museveni prepares to form a new administration, officials say the peaceful completion of the electoral process and the decisive result reinforce institutional stability. The government has reiterated its commitment to unity, economic development, and maintaining constitutional order following the election.
