Uganda’s Electoral Commission has officially declared President Yoweri Museveni the winner of the 2026 presidential election, extending his tenure beyond three decades in office. The vote was marked by an internet blackout and restrictions on civil society groups.
Electoral Commission chair Simon Byabakama revealed that Museveni, who has led the country since 1986, secured over 7.9 million votes, the highest among all contenders. He surpassed the required majority, winning more than half of all valid votes cast.
“Having obtained the highest number of votes in the election and the votes cast in his favour being more than 50 per cent of the total valid votes cast at the election, the Commission hereby declares Candidate Yoweri Museveni as the winner of the election,” Byabakama said.
Official figures show that 11.4 million Ugandans participated in Thursday’s election, reflecting a voter turnout of 52.5 per cent.
