Uganda's long-standing leader, Yoweri Museveni, has been declared the winner of the country's presidential election, securing a seventh term in office. The state election commission announced the 81-year-old president won with more than 70% of the vote, a result contested by his main opponent amidst an internet blackout and widespread allegations of irregularities.
Opposition Condemns 'Fake' Results and Alleges Kidnapping
His opponent, the musician and politician Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, immediately rejected the outcome. He labelled the announced figures "fake results" and called for peaceful public protests to pressure authorities into releasing what he believes are the rightful totals.
Wine alleged severe election malpractices, including the kidnapping of members of polling staff. He also claimed that on Friday, security forces raided his home, forcing him to flee to avoid arrest. "Last night was very difficult at our home … The military and the police raided us. They switched off power and cut off some of our CCTV cameras," he stated in a social media post. Ugandan police denied his arrest but confirmed restricting access to his area to prevent unrest.
Technical Failures and Manual Voting Spark Rigging Fears
The election was marred by significant operational issues. Biometric voter verification machines, introduced to prevent fraud, failed in many urban centres—areas considered opposition strongholds. Electoral officials subsequently resorted to using manual voter registers.
Bobi Wine asserted this switch facilitated "massive ballot stuffing" and favouritism towards the incumbent's party. President Museveni publicly endorsed the use of the manual system. Despite these controversies and the nationwide internet shutdown, the voting day saw relatively few major incidents, barring a clash in central Uganda where police said they fired in self-defence, resulting in seven deaths.
A Leader's Long Grip on Power
This victory extends Museveni's rule to over four decades, making him the third-longest-serving non-royal national leader in the world. His tenure has been characterised by the removal of constitutional term and age limits, the jailing of political opponents, and a lack of peaceful democratic transition since independence from Britain 60 years ago.
While rights groups like Freedom House classify Uganda as "not free" and question election credibility, Museveni's rule has also overseen a period of economic growth and stability. The opposition, however, continues to face severe pressure, with Wine reportedly wearing a flak jacket during the campaign due to safety fears after alleged harassment by security forces.
