AU chief congratulates President Museveni on re-election

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The chairperson of the African Union Commission has congratulated Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on his re-election as Uganda's president after securing 71% of the January 15 election.

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf also commended the conduct of the elections in the East African nation.

"The chairperson expresses sincere appreciation to H.E Goodluck Jonathan, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for his sterling leadership of the Joint African Union/; Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)/Inter- Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Election Observation Mission to Uganda," said a statement from the African Union. 

"The chairperson further reiterates the commitment of the African Union Commission to continue to support the promotion of democracy and effective governance in the continent, while applauding the people of Uganda for their commitment to consolidating democratic gains, peace, security, and development."

Uganda's Electoral Commission on Saturday declared Museveni of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) the winner of the 2026 presidential election after securing 71.65% of the vote with 7,946,772 votes.

For NRM stalwart Museveni, it is a huge improvement from the previous election, where he won with 59% of the vote.

Just like in the 2021 poll, he again beat his closest challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) — and six other candidates.

It is the first time in three decades that Museveni has won with over 70% of the vote, having last done so in the 1996 election when he secured 74.33% of the vote in a three-way race that also featured Paul Ssemogerere and Kibirige Mayanja.

That 1996 presidential election was the first following the adoption of the 1995 constitution, and the three candidates ran as independents due to a ban on political party activities at the time.

Fast-forward to 2026, and long since the introduction of multi-party elections in Uganda, Museveni once again came out on top in an election that featured a total of eight presidential candidates — all belonging to a political party.

Four of the contestants were first-time presidential candidates.

'Let's focus on our country'

Of the 11,366,201 total number of votes cast (52.50% of the registered voters), 275,353 of them ((2.42%) were invalid votes.

Here are the votes that each candidate has received, as announced by EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, as provided for by Article 103(3) of the Uganda Constitution and Section 59 of the Presidential Elections Act: 

▪️ Yoweri Museveni of the National Resistance Movement (NRM): 7,946,772 votes (71.65%)

▪️ Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu of the National Unity Platform (NUP):  2,741,238 votes (24.72%)

▪️ James Nathan Nandala Mafabi of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC): 209,039 votes (1.88%)

▪️ Gregory Mugisha Muntu of Alliance for National Transformation (ANT): 59,276 votes (0.53%)

▪️ Frank Bulira Kabinga of Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP): 45,959 votes (0.41%)

▪️ Robert Kasibante of the National Peasants Party (NPP): 33,440 votes (0.30%)

▪️Mubarak Munyagwa of Common Man's Party (CMP): 31,666 votes (0.29%)

▪️Joseph Mabirizi of the Conservative Party (CP): 23,458 votes (0.21%)

In his remarks moments before announcing the final presidential results on behalf of the Electoral Commission, chairperson Byabakama made a clarion call to all Ugandans to remain united as a nation even in the midst of political division.

"Presidential and parliamentary elections are over. Local government elections are coming and will soon be over. I wish to appeal to all Ugandans of whatever class or level in society that, let us now focus on that which is far greater than elections. That is our country Uganda," he said.

"Let us walk united in the quest and desire for a better Uganda that we can all live in in unity, in harmony and in peace.

"Let the victors not be so exuberant in their celebrations to the chagrin of the losers. And let the losers take their defeat with acceptance and know there is another day for another attempt," urged Byabakama.