The Electoral Commission of Uganda has officially declared President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni the winner of the January 15, 2026 presidential election. According to the final tally, Museveni secured 7,946,772 votes, representing 71.65% of the valid votes cast, comfortably exceeding the constitutional threshold of 50% plus one required for an outright first-round victory. His main challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, garnered 2,741,238 votes, accounting for 24.72% of the total.
The declaration was made after results from 49,512 out of 50,739 polling stations had been tallied, leaving 1,227 stations pending. The national voter turnout stood at 11,366,201 votes out of 21,649,067 registered voters, translating to approximately 52.5% participation. Museveni swept most regions of the country but faced stiff competition in the opposition strongholds of Buganda and Kampala. In Buganda, Bobi Wine narrowly won with 1,160,780 votes compared to Museveni’s 1,157,832 votes.
The announcement sparked jubilation among supporters of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) at the national tally centre in Lubowa. However, the National Unity Platform (NUP) swiftly rejected the outcome, citing alleged irregularities, including voter intimidation, arrests of agents, ballot stuffing, and broader voter suppression. The party’s representative, Benjamin Katana, described the results as “fraudulent” and unreflective of polling-station realities.
The election unfolded amid intense controversy, including a nationwide internet blackout, reports of polling delays, heavy security deployments, and allegations of fraud from both sides. The Electoral Commission chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, appealed for calm, urging Ugandans to prioritize national unity and seek redress through legal channels.
In a related development, presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi claimed he escaped arrest following a night raid by security forces on his home in Magere, Wakiso District. Kyagulanyi stated that soldiers and police raided his residence, switched off power, and disabled some of the CCTV cameras, as helicopters hovered over the area. He added that his wife and other family members remain confined at the home.
Kyagulanyi reiterated his rejection of the presidential election results, attributing public speculation about his whereabouts to the heavy security deployment at his residence and the nationwide internet shutdown. The incident has sparked concern and speculation regarding his safety, with Kyagulanyi stating that he is taking measures to ensure his safety. The situation remains tense, with the opposition calling for legal action to address their concerns about the election outcome.
