Museveni Declared Winner as Bobi Wine Calls for Resistance

BY JAMES KABENGWA

KAMPALA — The Electoral Commission has officially declared incumbent President Yoweri Museveni the winner of the 2026 general election, extending his 40-year rule into a fifth decade.

According to final tallies released Saturday, Museveni secured 71.65% of the vote, while his primary challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi—popularly known as Bobi Wine—garnered 24.72%.

The announcement was met with immediate and fierce rejection from the opposition. Writing from a secret location, National Unity Platform leader Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine called the election fake.

Wine’s home remains heavily cordoned off by security forces, but he says he escaped.

Bobi Wine dismissed the results as a “sham” and a “theatrical mockery of democracy.”

He cited widespread reports of ballot stuffing, the abduction of polling agents, and a nationwide internet shutdown that hampered independent verification.

“This insanity must be met with resistance,” Wine wrote in a statement. “We are calling upon all Ugandans to rise to the occasion and reject this criminal regime through every non-violent means possible.”

In contrast, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) celebrated the victory as a mandate for continued stability.

While the capital remained tense with heavy military patrols, the NRM also solidified its grip on Parliament, including key wins such as Amelia Kyambadde’s successful reclamation of the Mawokota North seat.

International observers remain split, with some raising concerns over the pre-election crackdown on opposition figures.

Ugandans at home and across the world continue to protest on the streets