Kampala, Uganda — Uganda’s electoral commission says President Yoweri Museveni has won a seventh elected term with 72 percent of the vote, extending his presidency to 45 years by the time the new mandate ends in 2031. Thursday’s result was announced after polling that the main opposition candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine, dismissed as “fake”. Official statements indicate turnout figures have not yet been released.
Museveni, 81, first took office in 1986 following a guerrilla campaign.
A 2017 constitutional change removed a 75-year age cap, allowing him to stand again. Local reports say security forces used tear gas and arrested dozens of opposition agents on election day; Amnesty International documented similar actions during the campaign.
The president has appointed his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as army commander, a move that sources close to the matter say has fuelled talk of a planned family succession. Government spokespeople have not commented on succession questions. Regional officials confirmed that Uganda hosts about two million refugees and contributes troops to the African Union mission in Somalia, factors that Western donors cite when allocating roughly one billion dollars in annual aid.
The current U. S. Administration has reduced global aid, but specific cuts to Uganda have not been announced.
Electoral commission chairman Justice Simon Byabakama said the vote reflected “the will of the people”. Bobi Wine told local radio he will challenge the outcome in the Supreme Court.
The court has 30 days to rule once a petition is filed.
Further details are expected as final constituency tallies are published.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
