News Update

Uganda’s Electoral Commission has declared President Yoweri Museveni the winner of the 2026 presidential election, cementing his position as one of Africa’s longest-ruling leaders and extending a political reign that began nearly four decades ago.

The announcement confirms that the 81-year-old leader, who first assumed office in 1986 after a protracted guerrilla war, will continue in power, further shaping the country’s political future amid persistent debate over democratic governance, civil liberties, and political succession.

The declaration was made on Saturday by the chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Simon Byabakama, who announced that Museveni secured the highest number of votes cast in the election. According to the official results, the incumbent president garnered more than 7.9 million votes, surpassing his rivals by a significant margin and meeting the constitutional requirement of winning more than 50 percent of the total valid votes cast.

“Having obtained the highest number of votes in the election and the votes cast in his favour being more than 50 per cent of the total valid votes cast at the election, the Commission hereby declares Candidate Yoweri Museveni as the winner of the election,” Byabakama said while presenting the final tally.

The commission disclosed that approximately 11.4 million Ugandans participated in Thursday’s polls, representing a voter turnout of 52.50 percent of registered voters. While the figure reflects the participation of more than half of the electorate, it also underscores ongoing concerns about voter apathy, particularly among young people, many of whom have grown up knowing no other president than Museveni.

The 2026 election was held against the backdrop of heightened political tension and widespread scrutiny, both domestically and internationally. Voting took place amid an internet blackout imposed by authorities, a move that government officials defended as necessary for national security but which critics described as an attempt to restrict information flow and suppress opposition mobilisation. Social media platforms and messaging services were inaccessible for much of the election period, limiting real-time reporting and communication by voters, journalists, and civil society organisations.

In addition to the internet shutdown, several civil society groups reported restrictions on their activities, including limits on election observation and voter education efforts. Human rights organisations and opposition figures raised concerns about the operating environment, arguing that such measures undermined the credibility of the electoral process. The government, however, insisted that the election was peaceful and orderly, pointing to the absence of large-scale violence on polling day as evidence of stability.

Museveni’s victory extends a rule that has profoundly shaped Uganda’s post-independence history. When he came to power in 1986 at the age of 41, he was hailed by many as part of a new generation of African leaders who promised stability after years of turmoil. His early years in office were marked by relative economic recovery, improved security, and a reformist image that won him international support.

Over time, however, Museveni’s leadership has increasingly drawn criticism, particularly over constitutional changes that removed presidential term limits and age limits, reforms that cleared the way for him to contest elections well into his seventies and eighties. Supporters argue that his continued leadership has provided continuity and stability in a region often affected by conflict, while critics contend that the concentration of power has weakened democratic institutions and narrowed political space.

The 2026 contest was described by observers as tightly contested, reflecting a deeply polarised electorate. Opposition parties campaigned on platforms centred on economic hardship, unemployment, corruption, and the rising cost of living, issues that resonate strongly with Uganda’s youthful population. Although Museveni’s National Resistance Movement (NRM) maintains a strong grassroots network across rural areas, opposition candidates have made inroads in urban centres, particularly among young voters frustrated by limited economic opportunities.

In his campaign, Museveni emphasised his experience, crediting his administration with maintaining peace, expanding infrastructure, and steering economic growth. He also highlighted ongoing projects in energy, transport, and agriculture, presenting himself as the guarantor of stability at a time of regional and global uncertainty. His messaging consistently framed continuity in leadership as essential to safeguarding Uganda’s development gains.

Following the announcement of the results, reactions poured in from across the political spectrum. Supporters of the president celebrated the victory as a reaffirmation of public confidence in Museveni’s leadership. In several parts of the country, NRM loyalists took to the streets waving party flags and chanting slogans in support of the president.

Opposition figures, however, expressed deep reservations about the outcome, pointing to the internet shutdown, the presence of security forces, and alleged irregularities as reasons to question the credibility of the poll. Some opposition leaders indicated they would challenge the results through legal channels, a path that has been pursued in previous elections with limited success.

International observers and foreign governments are expected to issue statements in the coming days, weighing Uganda’s strategic importance in the region against ongoing concerns about democratic governance and human rights. In past elections, Western partners have often acknowledged Museveni’s victory while urging reforms to strengthen electoral transparency and political freedoms.

As Museveni prepares to begin another term in office, attention is likely to focus on the future of Uganda’s political landscape, particularly the question of succession. At 81, the president remains an active political figure, but the absence of a clear transition plan continues to fuel debate within and outside the ruling party. Analysts note that the coming years may prove critical in determining whether Uganda can navigate a peaceful and democratic transfer of power in the long term.

For now, the Electoral Commission’s declaration confirms that Yoweri Museveni will remain at the helm of Uganda, extending a leadership era that has spanned generations.

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The 2026 election, marked by both participation and controversy, underscores the enduring dominance of Museveni in Ugandan politics and the unresolved tensions between stability, longevity in power, and the democratic aspirations of a changing society.