Uganda's Museveni Wins Eighth Term Amid Controversy and Unrest

Sat Jan 17 2026 17:21:19 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

President Yoweri Museveni secures victory in a contested election, extending his ruling term to nearly four decades as opposition questions the legitimacy of the results amidst reports of violence and internet blackout.

Yoweri Museveni has been declared the winner of Uganda's recent elections, enabling him to extend his 40-year rule for another five years. His primary opponent, Bobi Wine, has rejected the results as fraudulent and called for non-violent protests amidst escalating violence and internet restrictions. Despite a heavy security presence and allegations of human rights abuses, Museveni's administration maintains that the measures are necessary to prevent misinformation.

President Yoweri Museveni has been declared the winner of Thursday's election and is set to extend his 40 years in power by another five years.

He got a huge majority, according to the election commission, ahead of his closest challenger Bobi Wine, who has condemned the 'fake results'.

Wine has called on Ugandans to hold non-violent protests.

Museveni, 81, first came to power as a rebel leader in 1986 but since then has won seven elections.

The election has been marred by violence and Wine asserts that at least 21 people have been killed during the unrest, while authorities have confirmed seven deaths.

Access to the internet has been cut in the country since Tuesday, making it difficult to verify information and sparking outrage as the UN human rights office described the blackout as 'deeply worrying'. Wine has demanded the restoration of internet services.