Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has been officially declared the winner of the 2026 presidential election, extending his more than three-decade rule in the East African nation.
The announcement was made on Saturday by the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Simon Byabakama, following the conclusion of the tightly contested poll.
According to the commission, Museveni secured over 7.9 million votes, the highest among all candidates, and surpassed the constitutional requirement by obtaining more than 50 per cent 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 stated.
Official figures released by the commission indicate that 11.4 million Ugandans participated in Thursday’s election, representing a 52.50 per cent voter turnout among registered voters.
Museveni, who first assumed office in 1986, defeated his closest challenger, Bobi Wine, a former singer-turned-politician, who polled 24.72 per cent of the votes.
The election was conducted amid reports of an internet blackout and restrictions on civil society organisations, drawing criticism from rights groups and observers.
Bobi Wine reportedly went into hiding on Saturday following an alleged security raid on his residence. He has faced sustained pressure since entering politics, including multiple arrests prior to his first presidential bid in 2021.
The developments have continued to generate reactions both within Uganda and from the international community.
