Why Uganda's election results are being contested

Uganda’s latest presidential election has delivered another decisive victory for President Yoweri Museveni, but the result has immediately been plunged into controversy, with the opposition rejecting the outcome and alleging widespread fraud, violence, and repression.

According to Uganda’s Electoral Commission, President Museveni secured just under 72% of the vote, extending his rule into a fifth decade in power. His main challenger, opposition leader and former pop star Bobi Wine (Robert Kyagulanyi), was credited with 24%. While the margin of victory surprised few observers, the conditions under which the election was held have become the central issue.

The vote took place under a nationwide internet blackout, which authorities justified as a measure to prevent “misinformation.” The opposition, however, says the blackout was designed to obstruct transparency and prevent independent verification of results. Bobi Wine and his allies argue that declaration forms and tally sheets from polling stations have not been publicly shared, making it impossible for citizens to confirm the official figures.

Tensions escalated sharply after polling day. Bobi Wine reported that his home was raided by police and military forces, who allegedly cut electricity, disabled CCTV cameras, and used a helicopter to assist the operation. He said he managed to escape and went into hiding, while claiming that his wife and family members were placed under house arrest, assertions that Reuters said it could not independently verify.

Violence has further deepened the dispute. Ugandan police reported that seven people were killed in clashes after polls closed, saying officers acted in self-defense against opposition-linked groups. Opposition figures strongly dispute this account, claiming that security forces opened fire on civilians, including an incident in which up to 10 people were allegedly killed inside a lawmaker’s home. Additional deaths were reported in several districts, though exact figures remain contested.

Bobi Wine has accused the government of ballot stuffing, mass arrests of opposition agents, and systematic intimidation throughout the campaign. He has called on Ugandans to nonviolently reject the results, demanding the restoration of internet access and the public release of polling station data before any final declaration is accepted.

President Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, has long dominated state institutions and previously amended the constitution to remove age and term limits. While Western governments have repeatedly raised concerns about Uganda’s elections, the United States said the 2021 vote was neither free nor fair. Museveni continues to enjoy international support for Uganda’s regional military role and its hosting of millions of refugees.

For many Ugandans, the current dispute is not only about who won the election, but how power is exercised, how votes are counted, and whether citizens are allowed to verify outcomes. As speculation grows around Museveni’s eventual succession, including persistent talk of his son’s political future, the credibility of electoral processes is once again under intense scrutiny.

At the heart of the standoff lies a familiar question in Ugandan politics: stability versus accountability, and whether elections can genuinely offer a peaceful path for political change.