Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has been declared the winner of Thursday's election, securing a sixth term with 59% of the vote, according to the electoral commission. His main rival, Bobi Wine, received 35% but has rejected the result, alleging widespread fraud and calling the poll 'the most fraudulent election in the history of Uganda'.
Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, said he was 'under siege' as security forces surrounded his home. He urged citizens to reject Museveni's victory and claimed to have video proof of voting fraud, which he would share once internet connections are restored. The government imposed an internet shutdown across the country, which many observers said undermined transparency.
In a national address, Museveni praised the integrity of the vote, calling it 'the most cheating free election since 1962'. He warned against any disruption to peace, stating, 'If anyone dares to disrupt our peace, we will deal with him or her decisively.'
The election campaign was one of the most violent in Uganda's history, with killings, arrests, and intimidation by security forces. Turnout was 57%, the lowest since Museveni took office. The EU, UN, and US did not monitor the election after many of their staff were denied accreditation.
Despite Museveni's victory, his party suffered significant losses, with about 30 MPs, including cabinet ministers and the vice-president, losing their seats, largely to candidates from Wine's National Unity Platform (NUP). The NUP, which had no seats in the previous parliament, won at least 56 seats, according to Ugandan media.
