Uganda’s Museveni re-elected, challenger in hiding

Veteran President Yoweri Museveni has been declared the landslide winner of Uganda’s presidential election, extending his rule into a fifth decade after a contest marred by violence and allegations of fraud.

The result gave 81-year-old Museveni a decisive victory as he sought to strengthen his political position as speculation grew about his eventual successor.

Uganda’s election commission said at a ceremony in the capital Kampala on Saturday that Museveni received just under 72 percent of the vote.

His main rival, pop singer-turned-politician Bobi Wine, received 24 percent of the votes.

Wine has alleged mass fraud and called on his supporters to protest during the election, which was held under an internet blackout that authorities said was necessary to prevent “misinformation”.

Wine’s whereabouts were unknown after he said he fled a military raid on his home on Saturday. Relatives told Reuters he was free in Uganda.

Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, said in a post on

“I want to confirm that I managed to escape from them. I’m not at home right now.”

He added that his wife and other family members were under house arrest, which Reuters could not immediately confirm.

Major violence was reported in the hours after the polls closed; Seven people were killed and three injured in central Uganda after officers opened fire in self-defense against dissident “mobs” organized by local MP Muwanga Kivumbi, police said.

Kivumbi disputed this statement and said 10 people were killed by security forces in his home.

Overall, fears that Uganda might suffer the kind of violence that left hundreds dead in neighboring Tanzania after elections in October appear to have not materialized.

Museveni’s victory did not come as much of a surprise. Since coming to power at the beginning of a rebellion in 1986, he has twice amended the constitution, removed age and term limits and dominated state institutions.

He defeated Wine with 58 percent of the vote in the last election in 2021, which the United States said was neither free nor fair.

During this campaign, Wine’s rallies were repeatedly interrupted by security forces firing tear gas and bullets. At least one person died and hundreds of opposition supporters were arrested in the violence.

Despite concerns over his human rights record, Museveni has won the gratitude of Western powers for sending troops to regional hotspots such as Somalia and accepting millions of refugees.

Many Ugandans also appreciate the relative stability seen during his tenure, and he campaigned under the slogan “protecting the gains”. With the start of crude oil production this year, economic growth is expected to reach double digits.

But speculation is mounting about his succession plans.

Museveni is believed to have favored his son, military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as his successor, but has refused to train his son for the role.

In an interview with Sky News this week, Museveni brushed off talk of stepping aside.

“If I’m available, and I’m not dead or senile, but I’m still around and have some knowledge, if you’re really serious about your country, why wouldn’t you want to take advantage of me?” he said.