Uganda’s January 2026 general election has once again confirmed the political dominance of President Yoweri Museveni, who was declared winner of the presidential race and will now begin another term in office after nearly four decades at the helm of the East African country.
The Electoral Commission announced that Museveni secured more than 70% of the vote, extending his rule since 1986 and reinforcing his status as one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. The result, however, has been rejected by the opposition, reopening long-standing questions about the credibility of Uganda’s electoral process and the future of democratic governance in the country.
Opposition rejection and contested legitimacy
Main opposition challenger Bobi Wine dismissed the outcome, alleging widespread irregularities, voter intimidation, and manipulation of results. Wine, whose National Unity Platform (NUP) has drawn strong support among urban voters and young Ugandans, argued that the election did not meet basic standards of transparency or fairness.
Opposition officials reported arrests of party agents, disruption of campaign activity, and restricted access to tallying centres in the final stages of voting and counting. Security agencies denied wrongdoing, stating that their actions were aimed at maintaining public order.
Internet shutdowns and security concerns
As in previous elections, authorities imposed a nationwide internet shutdown ahead of polling day, cutting access to social media, messaging platforms, and mobile money services. The government justified the move on national security grounds, but civil society groups and election observers warned that it undermined transparency and public trust in the process.
Heavy security deployment at polling stations, delays in opening in some areas, and technical challenges with voter verification were also reported, contributing to a tense election environment.
Continuity versus change
Supporters of the ruling National Resistance Movement argue that Museveni’s continued leadership provides stability in a volatile region and point to infrastructure development, oil-sector investments, and regional security cooperation as key achievements. Critics counter that constitutional changes removing term and age limits, combined with the concentration of power, have narrowed political space and weakened democratic institutions.
The election outcome highlights a familiar tension in Uganda’s politics: regular elections continue to be held, but their ability to produce meaningful political change remains deeply contested.
Regional and international implications
Uganda remains a strategic partner for regional security initiatives and peacekeeping missions, a factor that has historically tempered international responses to disputed elections. While some regional leaders welcomed the result, external partners have largely urged calm, dialogue, and respect for constitutional processes without directly endorsing or condemning the outcome.
What the result signals
Museveni’s victory underscores the resilience of Uganda’s incumbent political system, even as opposition movements continue to mobilise public support. It also raises unresolved questions about succession, political reform, and whether future elections can move beyond procedural legitimacy to broader public acceptance.
As Uganda enters another political cycle under the same leadership, the central debate is no longer simply about who won the election, but about how power is exercised, contested, and ultimately transferred in one of Africa’s most enduring political systems.
