Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has been declared the winner of Thursday’s election, extending his four decades in power by another five years.
Simon Byabakama, chairperson of Uganda’s electoral commission, made the announcement of the 2026 presidential election after a fiercely contested poll conducted amid an internet shutdown and restrictions on civil society activity.
Byabakama disclosed that the incumbent secured more than 7.9 million votes, the highest tally recorded among all contenders.
The commission said Museveni, who came to power in 1986, surpassed the constitutional requirement by polling more than half of the total votes cast nationwide.
“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 stated.