Museveni Secures Seventh Term in Uganda’s Contentious Election Amid Violence, Internet Blackout, Fear

By Emmanuel Kwada

President Yoweri Museveni has been officially declared the winner of Uganda’s presidential election, securing a seventh term in office and extending his rule of nearly four decades.

The announcement by the Electoral Commission on Saturday came after a highly disputed vote marred by pre-election repression, a nationwide internet shutdown, reports of violence, and strong condemnation from observers and opposition figures.

According to the commission’s final results, the 81-year-old incumbent, who has led Uganda since seizing power in 1986, won with 71.65% of the votes (approximately 7.9 million). His main challenger, singer-turned-politician Bobi Wine (real name Robert Kyagulanyi) of the National Unity Platform, received 24.72%, while the remaining votes were split among six other candidates.

The January 15 election took place under a tense atmosphere. A nationwide internet blackout, imposed days earlier by the Uganda Communications Commission to prevent “misinformation, electoral fraud, and incitement of violence,” severely restricted communication, information sharing, and the ability of citizens and observers to monitor the process in real time.

International rights groups, including Amnesty International and the United Nations, condemned the shutdown as a violation of freedom of expression and a barrier to transparent elections.

The campaign period was characterized by widespread repression, including arrests, abductions, and intimidation of opposition supporters.

African observers and human rights bodies noted that such tactics had “instilled fear” among voters. The United Nations described the pre-election environment as one of “widespread repression and intimidation,” with crackdowns on opposition rallies and heavy security force presence.

Post-election violence erupted in some areas, with reports of at least seven deaths overnight following the vote, including incidents linked to clashes over parliamentary results.

Bobi Wine alleged “massive ballot stuffing” during voting day and rejected the official results as fraudulent, calling for peaceful protests. The opposition leader reportedly escaped a raid on his home by security forces and has been in hiding or restricted, with conflicting accounts of house arrest or forcible removal by the military.

Museveni, speaking after casting his ballot, had predicted a landslide victory of up to 80% “if there’s no cheating.” Supporters credit him with bringing stability after decades of turmoil, while critics argue his long tenure has been sustained through constitutional changes removing term and age limits, control over state institutions, and suppression of dissent.

The election has drawn international scrutiny, with calls for accountability and restoration of internet services to ensure transparency. As Museveni prepares to govern until 2031, Uganda faces continued questions about democratic space, youth demands for change, and the prospects for peaceful political transition in a nation where power has not changed hands peacefully since independence.

The results are expected to be challenged in court by the opposition, amid ongoing concerns about the country’s political future.