President Museveni. Photo/Courtesy
President Yoweri Museveni has been declared the winner of Uganda’s 2026 general election, securing a seventh term in office and extending his rule to 2031.
The Electoral Commission announced the final results on Saturday at 4 pm, confirming that the incumbent National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate garnered 71.65 percent of the total valid votes cast.
According to the commission, voter turnout in the Thursday polls stood at 53 percent, with slightly more than half of registered voters participating in the election.
The commission said the exercise was concluded across the country and results were tallied in line with electoral laws.
Museveni, who first took power in 1986, now becomes one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.
His re-election comes amid a politically charged environment marked by a heavy security presence, restrictions on opposition activities, and widespread debate over the state of democracy in the country.
Opposition groups had earlier raised concerns over the credibility of the electoral process, citing alleged intimidation, arrests of supporters, and disruptions to communication, including an internet shutdown during the voting period.
In a brief statement following the announcement, the Electoral Commission congratulated the president-elect and thanked Ugandans for participating in the polls.
Preparations are now expected to begin for Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony, which will formally usher in the 2026–2031 term.