Keypoints:
- Museveni secures another five-year term, extending rule to 40 years
- Bobi Wine rejects results and calls for peaceful protests
- Violence, deaths and internet blackout overshadow election
UGANDAN President Yoweri Museveni has been declared the winner of Thursday’s presidential election, extending his hold on power to nearly 40 years after a vote overshadowed by violence, opposition claims of fraud and a nationwide internet shutdown.
The Electoral Commission announced on Friday that Museveni, 81, had secured a decisive victory over his main challenger, opposition leader Bobi Wine, granting him another five-year term.
Wine swiftly rejected the results, branding them ‘fake’ and accusing state institutions of engineering the outcome to maintain Museveni’s decades-long rule.
The election was widely seen as a defining moment for Uganda’s political future, pitting one of Africa’s longest-ruling presidents against a youthful opposition movement demanding democratic change. The disputed result has intensified concerns about shrinking political freedoms and raised fears of renewed instability in East Africa.
Opposition challenges outcome
In a statement released shortly after the announcement, Wine said the vote had been conducted under ‘military intimidation, widespread irregularities and a complete communications blackout’.
‘This election did not reflect the will of the people,’ he said, urging Ugandans to engage in peaceful, non-violent protests to defend their democratic rights.
The 43-year-old former pop star turned politician claimed that at least 21 people were killed during election-related violence in the campaign period and on polling day.
Authorities have so far confirmed seven deaths, while rights groups warn the true figure could be higher.
Independent verification has been difficult due to restricted access to information and the continued suspension of internet services across the country.
Internet blackout condemned
Uganda’s internet was shut down nationwide on Tuesday, two days before voting began, blocking access to social media platforms, messaging services and many international news outlets.
Government officials defended the decision, saying it was necessary to prevent misinformation, voter fraud and the incitement of violence.
‘We had to act in the interest of national security,’ a government spokesperson said.
The United Nations human rights office condemned the move as ‘deeply worrying’, warning that cutting digital communications during elections undermines transparency and public trust.
Wine has demanded the immediate restoration of internet access, accusing the authorities of using the blackout to conceal abuses and manipulate the electoral process.
Heavy security deployment
The election unfolded under an intense security presence, with soldiers and armed police deployed across Kampala and other major towns. Roadblocks were erected in opposition strongholds, public transport was restricted and political gatherings were banned.
Following the declaration of results, Wine said security forces had surrounded his home, effectively placing him under house arrest — a claim the authorities have not formally denied.
Uganda has a long history of election-related unrest. In November, dozens of people were killed during protests triggered by Wine’s arrest while campaigning, incidents the government described as violent riots threatening national stability.
Museveni’s four decades in power
Museveni first came to power in 1986 after leading a guerrilla war that ended years of military dictatorship. Initially praised as a reformist leader who brought relative stability, his presidency has become increasingly entrenched over time.
Presidential term limits were removed in 2005, while age limits were scrapped in 2017, enabling him to remain in office indefinitely.
Thursday’s victory marks his seventh election win since multiparty politics was reintroduced, further cementing his status as one of the world’s longest-serving leaders.
In his first remarks after the results, Museveni thanked voters for what he described as a mandate for continuity, pledging to prioritise economic growth, security and infrastructure development.
Tense days ahead
With opposition leaders disputing the outcome and internet services still offline, political tensions remain high across the country.
Rights groups fear that fresh protests could be met with force, while analysts warn that prolonged instability may further erode confidence in Uganda’s democratic institutions.
For Museveni’s supporters, the result represents stability and experience. For his critics, it confirms fears that meaningful political change remains out of reach.
As Uganda enters another five-year presidential term under the same leader, the challenge ahead will be whether dialogue, restraint and transparency can prevent the disputed election from tipping the country into deeper crisis.
