The Electoral Commission of Uganda announced the final results on Saturday, January 17, 2026, confirming that Museveni, the candidate of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), won the contest with 7,946,772 votes, representing 71.65 per cent of the total votes cast.
Speaking during the official declaration, Electoral Commission chairperson Simon Byabakama said the results met the constitutional threshold required to win the presidency.
“The Commission now proceeds to declare the results of the presidential elections in accordance with the law,” Byabakama said.
“Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, having obtained the highest number of votes and more than 50 per cent of the total votes cast, is hereby declared the duly elected president of the Republic of Uganda for the next five years.”
Museveni’s closest challenger, National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, finished second with 2,741,238 votes, translating to 24.72 per cent of the total tally.
Kyagulanyi had earlier rejected provisional results, accusing electoral authorities of widespread irregularities and vote manipulation.
The elections were held on Thursday, January 15, across Uganda’s 146 districts, with voters also casting ballots for Members of Parliament and other local leaders.
The elections were held on Thursday, January 15, across Uganda’s 146 districts, with voters also casting ballots for Members of Parliament and other local leaders.
According to the Electoral Commission, a total of 11,366,201 votes were cast, representing a voter turnout of 52.50 per cent of registered voters.
The commission further reported that 275,353 votes were declared invalid, accounting for 2.24 per cent of the total ballots cast.
Museveni’s victory extends his rule to over 40 years, having first taken power in 1986 after leading a guerrilla war that toppled the government of Milton Obote.
The commission further reported that 275,353 votes were declared invalid, accounting for 2.24 per cent of the total ballots cast.
Museveni’s victory extends his rule to over 40 years, having first taken power in 1986 after leading a guerrilla war that toppled the government of Milton Obote.
Over the decades, he has positioned himself as a stabilising figure in a country that had endured years of political turmoil.
Support for the president-elect remained strongest in rural areas and among communities that credit his administration with improving security, expanding infrastructure, and maintaining relative economic stability. His campaign message focused on continuity, stability, and economic transformation.
Museveni’s manifesto, titled “Protecting the Gains and Securing a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status,” pledged to consolidate past achievements while steering Uganda toward a high-productivity, industrialised economy.
In contrast, Bobi Wine drew significant backing from young voters and urban populations frustrated by unemployment, corruption, and what they describe as prolonged political stagnation.
Support for the president-elect remained strongest in rural areas and among communities that credit his administration with improving security, expanding infrastructure, and maintaining relative economic stability. His campaign message focused on continuity, stability, and economic transformation.
Museveni’s manifesto, titled “Protecting the Gains and Securing a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status,” pledged to consolidate past achievements while steering Uganda toward a high-productivity, industrialised economy.
In contrast, Bobi Wine drew significant backing from young voters and urban populations frustrated by unemployment, corruption, and what they describe as prolonged political stagnation.
The pop star-turned-politician had framed his campaign around change, accountability, and democratic reforms.
The election period was marked by heightened political tension, with local and international observers raising concerns over media restrictions, arrests of opposition supporters, and heavy security deployment in some areas.
The election period was marked by heightened political tension, with local and international observers raising concerns over media restrictions, arrests of opposition supporters, and heavy security deployment in some areas.
The government, however, maintained that the polls were conducted peacefully and in line with Ugandan law.
Regional leaders are expected to send congratulatory messages to Museveni in the coming days, as Uganda remains a key player in East African politics and regional security, particularly in peacekeeping missions across the continent.
Museveni is now set to be sworn in for another five-year term, during which he faces mounting pressure to address rising youth unemployment, public debt, cost-of-living challenges, and demands for political reforms.
Regional leaders are expected to send congratulatory messages to Museveni in the coming days, as Uganda remains a key player in East African politics and regional security, particularly in peacekeeping missions across the continent.
Museveni is now set to be sworn in for another five-year term, during which he faces mounting pressure to address rising youth unemployment, public debt, cost-of-living challenges, and demands for political reforms.
