Museveni Wins Uganda Presidential Election With 71% of the Vote

By Robert Otim in Kampala

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was on Saturday, 17 January, declared the winner of Uganda’s presidential election, extending his four decades in power by another five-year term.

According to results announced by the Electoral Commission, Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, secured 7,946,772 votes, representing 71.65% of the total vote.

His main challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine of the National Unity Platform (NUP), garnered 2,741,238 votes (24.72%).

The results were officially declared by the Electoral Commission chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, who called on supporters of all candidates to accept the outcome and embrace national unity.

Other presidential candidates performed as follows:

• James Nathan Nandala Mafabi (Forum for Democratic Change) – 209,039 votes (1.88%)
• Gregory Mugisha Muntu Oyera (Alliance for National Transformation) – 59,276 votes (0.53%)
• Frank Bulira Kabinga (Revolutionary People’s Party) – 45,959 votes (0.41%)
• Robert Kasibante (National Peasants Party) – 33,440 votes (0.30%)
• Mubarak Munyagwa (Common Man’s Party) – 31,666 votes (0.29%)
• Joseph Mabirizi (Conservative Party) – 23,458 votes (0.21%)

Museveni, 81, who first took power in 1986, has now won seven presidential elections.

Despite the announcement, there were minimal public celebrations across the country. In the capital, Kampala, many roads remained empty and businesses stayed closed.

Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among celebrated Museveni’s victory at the Electoral Commission headquarters.

Leading the African Union (AU) observer mission, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan urged the government to refrain from suspending internet access around election periods.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, congratulated Museveni on his re-election and praised Uganda for conducting the polls.

He reiterated the AU’s commitment to supporting democracy and effective governance across the continent, while commending Ugandans for their dedication to peace, security, and development.

Political commentators noted that the results marked an improvement for Museveni compared to the previous election, in which he secured 59% of the vote, while Kyagulanyi obtained 35%.

This also marks the first time in nearly three decades that Museveni has won an election with more than 70% of the vote, a feat last achieved in 1996 when he garnered 74.33%.