Uganda’s electoral commission has declared President Yoweri Museveni the winner of the 2026 presidential election, extending his grip on power more than three decades after he first assumed office.
The announcement was made on Friday by the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Simon Byabakama, who said the incumbent polled over 7.9 million votes—more than any other candidate in the race.
Byabakama confirmed that Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, crossed the constitutional threshold by securing over 50 per cent of the total 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, the Commission hereby declares Candidate Yoweri Museveni as the winner of the election,” he said.
The election, which was closely contested, was conducted amid an internet shutdown and restrictions on civil society activities—developments that drew criticism from opposition figures and rights groups.
Official figures show that about 11.4 million Ugandans voted in Thursday’s poll, representing a turnout of 52.5 per cent of registered voters.
Further details are expected as reactions continue to trail the announcement.
