Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has been declared the winner of Thursday’s elections, extending his four-decade-long rule by another five years.
The Electoral Commission announced that Museveni secured 72% of the vote, while his closest challenger, opposition leader Bobi Wine, received 25%. Wine rejected the outcome, describing the results as “fraudulent” and accusing authorities of vote manipulation, although no detailed evidence was provided. Ugandan authorities have not responded to the allegations, while African Union (AU) observers stated they found no evidence of vote rigging. Wine has called for peaceful protests.
Museveni, 81, first came to power as a rebel leader in 1986 and has now won seven elections. The electoral process was marked by violence and unrest, with Wine, 43, a former pop star turned politician, claiming that at least 21 people were killed in recent days. Authorities have confirmed seven deaths.
Internet Shutdown and International Concern
Internet access has been blocked nationwide since Tuesday, severely limiting independent verification of events. Authorities justified the shutdown as a measure to prevent disinformation, fraud, and incitement to violence. However, the UN Human Rights Office condemned the move as deeply concerning, while Wine demanded the immediate restoration of internet services.
The head of the African Union observer mission, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, urged the government to lift the internet blockade around the electoral period. He also condemned reports of intimidation, arrests, and abductions, warning that such actions undermine public trust in the electoral process.
Opposition Leader’s Security Situation
During the night, Wine’s party claimed that he had been abducted from his home in Kampala, an allegation denied by police. Wine later posted on Facebook that he had escaped an overnight attack by security forces and gone into hiding, having earlier said he was under house arrest.
Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke denied these claims, stating that Wine’s movements were restricted because his residence was located in a “security-sensitive area.” He told Uganda’s Daily Monitor that authorities had restricted access to security hotspots to prevent gatherings that could cause chaos.
Political Divide and Voter Turnout
Wine has positioned himself as the voice of Uganda’s youth, in a country where the majority of the population is under 30 years old. During his campaign, he pledged to combat corruption and implement wide-ranging reforms. Museveni, meanwhile, argued that he remains the sole guarantor of stability in a country with a history of conflict.
The six other candidates each received less than 2% of the vote, while voter turnout stood at 52.5%.
