Uganda has confirmed President Yoweri Museveni as the winner of the 2026 presidential election, extending his more than three-decade rule after a closely contested poll marked by controversy.
The announcement was made by the chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Simon Byabakama, who said Museveni secured over 7.9 million votes — the highest among all candidates.
Byabakama stated that the long-serving leader met the constitutional requirement by obtaining more than 50 percent 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 cast at the election, the Commission hereby declares Candidate Yoweri Museveni as the winner of the election,” he said.
According to official figures released by the commission, about 11.4 million Ugandans voted in Thursday’s election, representing a voter turnout of 52.50 percent of registered voters.
Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, secured another term despite the election being conducted amid an internet blackout and restrictions on civil society groups, developments that have drawn both local and international attention.