Museveni on course for big victory with over half of votes tallied
By Faith Lagat, January 16, 2026In the early stages of vote counting following Uganda’s general election on Thursday, January 15, 2026, incumbent President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has established a commanding lead.
Provisional results broadcast by local media outlets, including NBS Television, indicate that Museveni is ahead with approximately 70% of votes tallied so far, positioning him strongly for a seventh term in office.
According to NBS live news updates, Yoweri Museveni is currently at 70.8 percent of the votes, representing 4,709,643 ballots counted so far. The figures reflect partial results as counting continues across the country, reinforcing Museveni’s strong position in the early stages of the presidential race.
Preliminary figures based on partial counting show a significant gap between Museveni and his main challenger, opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine of the National Unity Platform (NUP).
Bobi Wine trails in second place with around 20-30% of votes, while other candidates share the remainder. Some early reports from select polling stations placed Museveni at over 61% in initial batches, with Bobi Wine around 33%.
Election marked by internet blackout and logistical challenges
The election unfolded amid heightened tensions and widespread concerns over credibility. A nationwide internet shutdown, imposed two days before polling, restricted real-time communication, making it difficult for voters, observers, and parties to share updates or verify processes.
Authorities justified the blackout as a measure to prevent misinformation, electoral fraud, and incitement to violence, but critics, including international rights groups, described it as a barrier to transparency.
Voting day was marked by heavy security deployment, logistical delays at some polling stations, and reports of technical failures with biometric voter verification machines. Opposition figures alleged irregularities, including ballot stuffing, intimidation of polling agents, and arrests of key supporters.
Opposition raises concerns over legitimacy
Bobi Wine, who has emerged as a vocal critic of Museveni’s long rule, used social media to highlight alleged issues. In posts shared on January 15, 2026, he described the process as undermined, citing “massive ballot stuffing reported everywhere,” the arrest of regional leaders in his movement, and the removal of polling agents.
He urged Ugandans to reject what he called an “illegitimate” outcome and appealed to the international community not to recognise results without addressing these concerns. “The world must never give any legitimacy to the regime of blood and shame,” he wrote.