The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has congratulated President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on his re-election as President of Uganda.
In a statement released after the 15 January 2026 presidential election, the African Union said the polls were conducted in an orderly manner and praised Ugandans for taking part peacefully. According to the official results, Museveni won 71.61 percent of the votes.
The AU Chairperson also thanked former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who led the joint African Union, COMESA, and IGAD election observation mission. The mission monitored the voting process across the country and later reported that the election took place in a generally calm environment.
Yoweri Museveni first came to power in 1986 after leading a rebel war that overthrew the government of Milton Obote. He promised stability after years of coups and conflict. Since then, Museveni has ruled Uganda for about 40 years.
Over the decades, the constitution has been changed to remove term and age limits, allowing him to continue contesting elections. The 2026 vote marks another term in a presidency that has made him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.
Supporters say Museveni brought security and economic growth to Uganda. It is argued that he has weakened the democratic structure during his long tenure as a politician.
The opposition leader, Bobi Wine whose name in full is Robert Kyagulanyi, has already rejected the election results. According to Wine, the election was not free and fair. Additionally, Wine has also cited intimidation and arresting his followers as some of the activities that have hampered the election campaigns.
Bobi Wine, a pop star who eventually became a politician, has been a challenger to Museveni in a past election but has since become the strongest voice for the opposition, especially amongst the youth. After the official results were announced, his group declared that they could not accept the results since the will of the people was not being met.
Though the African Union congratulated Museveni and appreciated the situation of the elections, opinions in the country are still mixed. Citizens are disappointed and frustrated over the election outcome.
The African Union has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting democracy, peace, and good governance on the continent. On the other hand, the contest surrounding the outcome demonstrates that the political atmosphere in Uganda continues to be tense with disagreements between government and the opposition.
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With Museveni entering another term as president, one thing that will be closely monitored by people of Uganda, and observers around the world, is how they manage demands for reform, freedoms, and uniting the nation.
