The announcement, made on January 17, 2026, confirms Museveni’s seventh consecutive term in office, further extending his nearly four‑decade leadership of the East African nation.
Authorities justified the blackout as a measure to prevent misinformation, electoral fraud, and the incitement of violence.
However, the UN Human Rights Office condemned the move as “deeply worrying,” highlighting concerns about freedom of expression and transparency.
Opposition leader Bobi Wine has called for an immediate restoration of internet services, arguing that unrestricted access is essential for a credible electoral process.
Long‑serving leaders and the “big man” phenomenon in Africa
Museveni’s re‑election, at age 81, reflects a broader trend on the African continent where long‑standing presidents maintain power for decades, often through constitutional amendments and political dominance that critics argue erode democratic norms.
Leaders such as Cameroon’s Paul Biya, in power for more than four decades, and others across the region embody what analysts describe as the “African big man” era characterised by extended tenures that discourage political turnover and breed frustration among younger populations seeking change.
Many Ugandans, particularly youth who make up the bulk of the population, have called for generational change and greater economic opportunity, themes that defined the 2026 campaign.
Bobi Wine, a former pop star turned opposition leader, immediately rejected the official results, labelling them “fake” and accusing the electoral commission of a lack of transparency. Wine and his supporters alleged irregularities including ballot‑stuffing, intimidation, and an internet blackout that obscured independent reporting during the vote count.
He urged Ugandans to dismiss the announced figures and asserted that his agents at tallying centres had protested the source of the results, arguing that the process lacked credibility.
