How Top Candidates Performed Across Regions in Uganda’s 2026 Election

KAMPALA, Uganda — President Yoweri Museveni secured a broad base of electoral support across most Ugandan regions in the January 15, 2026 presidential election, according to official results released by the Electoral Commission. The long-time leader was declared the winner with 71.65% of valid votes nationwide, extending his tenure for another five years, as reported by Monitor and consistent with certified tallies.

The tally of regional returns shows that in 15 of Uganda’s 16 sub-regions, Museveni won overwhelming majorities. The only exception was the Buganda sub-region, where the opposition garnered stronger support relative to the rest of the country, reflecting a divergence from the national pattern.

Nationwide, Museveni’s closest challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, widely known as Bobi Wine of the National Unity Platform (NUP), finished well behind with tens of thousands fewer votes. Other candidates trailed further still in the count.

Regional Voting Patterns

• Northern and Western Regions: These areas contributed large vote shares in favor of Museveni, consistent with historical trends where rural constituencies have tended to support the incumbent.

• Eastern and Central Regions (outside Buganda): Museveni also dominated here, with substantial pluralities in local tallies.

• Buganda Sub-Region: In a notable contrast, voters in Buganda leaned more toward Kyagulanyi, marking the region as the main stronghold of the opposition in the presidential race.

• Kampala Capital and Urban Centers: Urban districts such as Kampala showed relatively stronger support for opposition candidates compared with rural districts, though they did not alter the national outcome.

Official Results and Process

The Electoral Commission of Uganda, the official body responsible for organizing and declaring election outcomes, confirmed Museveni’s victory on January 17, 2026, after counting was completed across all polling stations.

The election’s final certified result showed Museveni with 71.65% of valid votes and Kyagulanyi with roughly 24.7%, with other candidates sharing the remainder. Voter turnout was reported at about 52.5% of registered voters, according to consolidated data.

People also read:

• Museveni Warns Security Forces: No Torture During Elections

• Mao says he will back President Museveni for Uganda’s 2026 election

• Museveni: US Strike on Venezuela Is a Wake‑Up Call for Africa

Museveni’s victory continues his four-decade leadership of Uganda. Regional voting patterns in 2026 mirror long-standing electoral dynamics where the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) commands dominant support in rural areas, while urban districts and certain sub-regions like Buganda show proportionally greater opposition backing.

Analysts note these geographical divides have been present in previous elections, reflecting differing economic, social, and political priorities across Uganda.

Source:  Monitor