Museveni takes early lead in poll as violence, tension grip Uganda

Uganda’s incumbent president and National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate Yoweri Museveni waves at supporters as he leaves after casting his ballot in Rwakitura on January 15, 2026 during Uganda’s 2026 general elections. (Photo by AFP)

Violence and tension continued to build across Uganda on Friday as early election results showed President Yoweri Museveni opening a commanding lead in the general election, even as opposition figures reported arrests and deadly crackdowns on their supporters.

A senior opposition leader said that security forces stormed his home during the voting period and shot dead members of his campaign team. Muwanga Kivumbi, a Member of Parliament allied to the National Unity Platform (NUP), said at least 10 people were killed when armed officers raided his residence.

Reports of arrests, abductions and heavy deployment of security forces were also shared on social media as the country remained under an internet blackout.

Despite the unrest, early results released by the Electoral Commission on Friday morning showed Museveni firmly in the lead.

According to figures announced by electoral commission chairperson Simon Byabakama, Museveni had secured about 76 per cent of the vote against 20 per cent for his main challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, based on results from 45 per cent of polling stations.

The figures suggest the 81-year-old leader, who has been in power since 1986, is on course to win a seventh term, possibly with more than 80 per cent of the vote.

The remaining votes were shared among six other candidates. Byabakama said the commission is expected to announce the final presidential results within 48 hours.

Asked about the timing of the final results announcement, Byabakama said: “We are on course to announce the winner of the presidential election within 48 hours. Before 5 PM [14:00 GMT] tomorrow, we shall have the final results.”

Uganda went to the polls on Thursday amid an internet shutdown and a heavily militarised environment. Human rights groups accused the government of brutal repression, saying opposition rallies were disrupted using teargas and live bullets, with hundreds of Wine’s supporters arrested.

“The events were executed under the shadow of the gun, the violence of State-funded militias, and total digital blackout,” Annet Nerima, programmes manager Kenya Human rights Commission said.

According to Pan African Solidarity Group, the events that transpired a day after more than 21 million Ugandans cast their votes, was a state sponsored assault on the sovereignty of the citizen.

“Excessive use of force and intimidation makes it really difficult for voter participation. The electoral commission is just another puppet of the military and family rule regime,’’ rights defenders said.

The government has defended the security operations, saying they were necessary to deal with lawlessness.

Bobi Wine, who was trailing in the early results, accused authorities of massive electoral fraud, including ballot stuffing and intimidation of his agents. He was reportedly placed under house arrest on Friday, just a day after the vote, echoing events from the 2021 election when Museveni won with 65 per cent and Wine garnered 35 per cent before being similarly confined.

 After casting his vote on Thursday, the veteran President exuded confidence that he would get a clean win. Different reports on social media indicate that some of poll agents of Bobi Wine’s NUP party were whisked at some polling station in Kampala by armed men.

“NUP polling agents whisked at Aga Khan polling station in Kampala by armed men in the usual abduction van (locally known as drone) in the presence of @PoliceUg,” a post on X reads.

“Uganda is in the dark with the internet shut down. Several incidents of ballot stuffing have been recorded. The regime military and police is directly involved in repressing our agents at polling stations..!” a post on social media platform X reads.

The election in Uganda marked the end of a murky and violent campaign where the Opposition leaders accused Museveni of using security forces to disrupt their campaigns.

-Additional reporting by Esther Dianah