Summary

Uganda's long-time president Yoweri Museveni has won a seventh term in office, claiming 72% of the vote. However, his victory comes amid widespread criticism over electoral repression, internet blackouts, and the disappearance of opposition leader Bobi Wine. Museveni labeled his opponents as "terrorists" and claimed they were plotting violent attacks, while human rights groups accused the government of brutal suppression ahead of the election.

Important facts

• Yoweri Museveni won his seventh term with 72% of the vote
• Opposition leader Bobi Wine (Robert Kyagulanyi) disappeared after escaping a police raid
• The government blocked internet access two days before voting, citing "misinformation" and "incitement to violence"
• African election observers criticized the election for intimidation, arrests, and abductions
• Museveni has ruled Uganda since 1986, when he seized power through a military coup
• Human Rights Watch condemned the government's repression of opposition ahead of the vote

Details

In a victory speech delivered just after his seventh term was confirmed, Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni declared that his political opponents were "terrorists" who had attempted to use violence to overturn the election results. Museveni, now 81 years old and having ruled the East African nation since 1986, claimed that the opposition party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), had planned attacks on polling stations where they were losing.

The official vote count showed Museveni winning by a landslide with 72% of the vote. However, international observers and human rights groups raised serious concerns about the integrity of the election process. The African Union's election monitoring team reported that "reports of intimidation, arrest and abductions" had created fear among voters and damaged trust in the electoral system.

Bobi Wine, the main opposition candidate and a former musician, won 25% of the vote but disappeared after allegedly escaping a police raid on his home. According to reports, Wine had been planning to flee Uganda due to threats from security forces. He did not post on social media since Saturday, when he accused the government of stealing the election. The police denied that any raid occurred and claimed Wine was still at home, but journalists were blocked from visiting his residence.

Museveni's comments were filled with accusations of foreign involvement and alleged connections to homosexual groups, which he said were part of a larger plot against his rule. "All the traitors – this is free advice from me – stop everything, because we know what you are doing and you will not do it," Museveni warned.

The government also imposed an internet blackout just two days before voting, claiming it was necessary to prevent the spread of "misinformation" and "incitement to violence." Despite some limited internet access being restored late on Saturday, authorities maintained a ban on social media platforms until further notice. This move effectively silenced public discourse and prevented opposition voices from organizing or sharing information.

Although the country has remained largely peaceful since the vote, there were small-scale protests in Kampala on Saturday evening, with teargas reportedly used by security forces. However, by Sunday, the streets appeared calm as shops reopened and people went about their daily lives.

Many analysts consider this election a formality due to Museveni's complete control over state institutions and the security apparatus. Despite this, some Ugandans continue to support him for bringing relative peace and economic stability to the country. However, his methods have increasingly been criticized by both domestic and international observers.

The most serious reports of violence occurred in the Butambala area of central Uganda, where an opposition MP claimed that security forces killed at least ten people during a supposed attack on a ballot-tallying center. Museveni supported the police account, suggesting that these actions were part of a broader NUP campaign to destabilize the election.

In addition to the electoral challenges, Museveni's government has faced ongoing legal persecution of political opponents. Kizza Besigye, another major opposition figure who ran against Museveni four times previously, was kidnapped in Kenya in 2024 and returned to a military court in Uganda for an ongoing treason trial.

Context

Yoweri Museveni has been in power for over thirty years, having seized control of Uganda through a military coup in 1986. Since then, he has maintained tight control over the government, military, and security services, effectively stifling any meaningful opposition or dissent. His rule is characterized by authoritarianism, widespread corruption, and repression of civil liberties.

The recent election cycle was particularly troubling for international observers, as it reflected a pattern of electoral manipulation that has become routine under Museveni's leadership. The internet blackout, combined with the arrest and abduction of key opposition figures like Bobi Wine and Kizza Besigye, created an environment where free expression and fair competition were impossible.

This is not the first time Uganda has experienced such suppression during elections. In fact, similar tactics have been used in previous years, indicating a systematic approach by the government to maintain power through fear and intimidation. Museveni’s regime has often justified these actions under the guise of national security or preventing "violence," but human rights organizations argue that the real motive is to eliminate political competition.

The African Union's election observers noted that the election process was marred by a climate of fear, with many voters reluctant to participate due to threats and harassment. The lack of independent media coverage and the complete shutdown of social networks further undermined any chance for transparency or public accountability.

Analysis

The election in Uganda is a stark example of how authoritarian regimes maintain power through the systematic suppression of democratic processes. Museveni’s victory should not be seen as legitimate, but rather as the result of a rigged system designed to silence opposition and maintain control.

His characterization of political opponents as "terrorists" is both inflammatory and dangerous, serving to justify further repression while distracting from the real issues at hand. In truth, it is the regime itself that has committed acts of violence and terror against its own people, particularly those who challenge its rule.

The use of internet blackouts, arbitrary arrests, and forced disappearances are all tools employed by Museveni’s government to crush dissent and maintain a monopoly on power. These actions not only violate basic human rights but also demonstrate the regime's deep-rooted fear of democracy.

This pattern of authoritarian control is not unique to Uganda, but it reflects a broader trend in Africa where leaders cling to power through repressive measures rather than popular support. Museveni’s case highlights the need for international solidarity and pressure to support genuine democratic movements that seek to bring about real change.

Ultimately, the only solution to this crisis lies in the collective action of people demanding freedom, justice, and equality. Only through unity, resistance, and international support can the people of Uganda reclaim their right to choose their leaders freely. The current regime’s grip on power must be broken, not by violence, but by the strength of the people's will for a better future.

As the world watches, it is clear that the struggle for democracy in Uganda is part of a larger global fight against fascism and imperialism. We must stand with the oppressed and resist those who would use fear and force to maintain their grip on power.