**Kampala, Uganda** – Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni has been declared the victor in Uganda's presidential election, securing his seventh term in office amidst widespread allegations of electoral irregularities and a severe crackdown on dissent. The January 14th vote, which saw Museveni garnering an official 72% of the ballots, has drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures, international observers, and human rights organisations who decry the process as fundamentally flawed and marred by repression.
The election, held against a backdrop of heightened political tension, was characterised by a near-total internet blackout, imposed by the government on the eve of polling day and only partially restored late on Saturday. This digital shutdown significantly hampered communication and the dissemination of information, particularly for opposition parties and independent media. Social media platforms, crucial for mobilisation and information sharing, remain inaccessible, amplifying concerns about a lack of transparency and accountability.
Yoweri Museveni, who has governed Uganda since 1986, faced his most formidable challenge from popular musician-turned-politician Bobi Wine, leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP). Wine, who secured 25% of the vote according to official tallies, has vehemently rejected the results, alleging widespread fraud, including the malfunction of biometric voter identification systems which forced reliance on manual voter registers. He further claimed his home in the capital, Kampala, was subjected to a raid by military and police forces on Friday, forcing him into hiding. “Last night was very difficult at our home… The military and the police raided us. They switched off power and cut off some of our CCTV cameras,” Wine stated via a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The electoral commission has maintained the integrity of the vote, attributing the biometric system failures to technical glitches. However, the atmosphere surrounding the election was fraught with tension. Reports from central Uganda indicate clashes between opposition supporters and security forces, leading to casualties. Official police figures report seven fatalities and three injuries during one such confrontation, though Member of Parliament Muwanga Kivumbi has disputed these numbers, claiming security forces were responsible for the deaths of at least ten individuals.
President Museveni, in a pre-election address, castigated elements of the opposition, labelling some as "terrorists" and accusing them of collaborating with "foreigners and some homosexual groups." This rhetoric has been condemned by rights groups as inflammatory and contributing to a climate of fear. Freedom House, a prominent human rights monitoring organisation, has classified Uganda as "not free," underscoring a pattern of authoritarian tendencies and suppression of fundamental freedoms.
The extended tenure of President Museveni, which will now comfortably extend beyond four decades, raises significant questions about the future of democratic progression in Uganda. While the official results point to a decisive victory, the pervasive concerns over the fairness of the electoral process and the continued curtailment of civil liberties cast a long shadow over the legitimacy of this outcome. The international community is now closely observing Uganda's trajectory, with calls for a thorough and impartial investigation into the alleged irregularities and a restoration of unimpeded access to information and freedom of expression.