President of UgandaYoweri Museveni, insists that he was elected in a free and fair election, asking the High Court in Kampala to dismiss the petition filed against his victory.
Uganda’s Electoral Commission announced on January 17 that Museveni won the January 15 election, securing a seventh term and pushing his tenure to more than four decades.
The declaration showed his continued grip on power amid tensions marked by tight security and limited internet access.
Museveni got 7,944,772 votes, accounting for 71.61% of all valid votes cast.
Bobi Wine, the leader of the National Unity Forum (NUP) and Museveni’s main opponent, got 2,741,238 votes, representing 24.72% of the total votes cast.
Museveni’s eleventh victory was contested by Robert Kasibante of the National Farmers Union, who finished in sixth place with less than 1% of the total votes cast.
Kasibante wants Museveni’s victory annulled and a new vote called, citing, among other things, alleged violations of electoral laws, violence, and misuse of government resources.
Also read
Newspapers: Questions Arise About Police Negligence Despite Gachagua’s Allegation Against MP Wamubi
Museveni, represented by his legal team, insists that his election victory was achieved in full compliance with the laws of the nation.
He contends that any alleged defects, claims he flatly denies, were too minor to invalidate the results or justify a reversal.
“I was elected legally in accordance with the principles laid down in the articles of the Constitution, the Electoral Commission Act, and the Presidential Election Act,” Museveni told the High Court.
At the same time, some MPs from the United States have been monitoring the political situation in Uganda, wanting the President Donald Trump he should take action.
Source: Twitter
On Saturday, January 24, Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Cory Booker urged the US administration to intervene and ensure accountability for Ugandan officials accused of violating the civil rights of opposition leaders and citizens during the recent elections.
Why US Senators want Trump to take action on Uganda
Shaheen and Booker claimed that the Ugandan elections of January 15, 2026, undermined democracy and did not meet the standards of a free and fair process.
In their statement, they described the vote as another obstacle to democratic progress, noting that it was similar to past contests where the playing field was tilted and the results were predetermined.
The senators cited the harassment of journalists, the arrest of opposition leaders, and the use of tear gas against protesters as evidence of repression.
They further criticized Museveni’s government for shutting down the internet, calling it a clear violation of citizens’ freedom of expression.
The continued arrest of Kizza Besigye and threats from UPDF Chief of Defense Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba against opposition candidate Robert Kyagulanyi also added to their concerns.
What do US senators want Trump to do for Uganda?
The senators emphasized that the Ugandan authorities have a duty to protect democratic governance, transparency, human rights, and the dignity of their citizens.
As members of the Democratic Party, they urged President Trump to take action against those accused of violating civil rights during the campaign and election period.
They noted that the Trump Administration and the US State Department should use all available tools, including re-evaluating security assistance, to hold Ugandan officials accountable for undermining democracy and endangering citizens who want to freely participate in elections.
Earlier, the American Embassy in Kampala had issued a security advisory warning its citizens about reports of security forces using tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the crowd, while the official results of the presidency were awaited.
The embassy advised Americans to remain extremely cautious and avoid large public gatherings throughout Uganda.
Read ENGLISH VERSION
Do you have an exciting story that you would like us to publish? Please contact us via news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
