Uganda’s President Museveni wins 7th term as Bobi Wine rejects ‘fake results’

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni won a seventh term in office on Saturday, January 17, 2026, after an election marred by violence and an internet shutdown.

This is just as African observers said arrests and abductions had “instilled fear” in Uganda.

The country’s Electoral Commission said 81-year-old Museveni won 71.65 per cent of the vote in Thursday’s election, amid reports of at least 10 deaths and intimidation of the opposition and civil society.

His victory allows him to extend his 40-year rule of the East African country.

He defeated opposition leader Bobi Wine, a former singer-turned-politician who won 24.72 per cent and said he was in hiding on Saturday after a raid by security forces on his home.

Wine, 43, has faced relentless pressure since entering politics, including multiple arrests before his first run for the presidency in 2021.

He wrote on X: “Last night was very difficult at our home in Magere. The military and police raided us. They switched off power and cut off some of our CCTV cameras. There were helicopters hovering over.

“I want to confirm that I managed to escape from them. Currently, I am not at home, although my wife and other family members remain under house arrest.

“I know that these criminals are looking for me everywhere, and I am trying my best to keep safe.

“I understand that there has been great concern and speculation regarding my whereabouts. Please understand this is the context of a nationwide internet shutdown.

Uganda election holds amid internet shutdown, police crackdown

“Given the commotion that happened at our house at night, and given that no one is allowed to access the house, our neighbours concluded that they had succeeded in abducting us and spread the news.

“I reiterate our COMPLETE REJECTION of the fake results Byabakama is reading. In addition to the ballot stuffing, the military take-over of the election, the detention of our leaders and polling officials, and other electoral offences, their results have zero backing!”

There was a heavy police presence around the capital, Kampala, as security forces sought to prevent the sort of protests that have hit neighbouring Kenya and Tanzania in recent months.

Police denied they had raided Wine’s home but said they had “controlled access in areas we feel are security hotspots”, adding they believed the opposition leader was still at home.

“We have not necessarily denied people accessing him but we cannot tolerate instances where people use his residence to gather and incite violence,” police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke told reporters.

A stall-owner near Wine’s home, 29-year-old Prince Jerard, told AFP he had heard a drone and helicopter at the residence the previous night, and saw numerous security officials.

“Many people have left the area. We have a lot of fear,” he said.

Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has emerged as the main challenger to Museveni in recent years, styling himself the “ghetto president” after the Kampala slum areas where he grew up.

He has accused the government of “massive ballot stuffing” and attacking several of his party officials under cover of the internet blackout, which was imposed ahead of the polls and remained in place on Saturday.

The Star