Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has been declared the winner of the country’s 2025 presidential election, extending his rule to nearly four decades after securing a decisive victory in the polls, official results show.
According to the Electoral Commission, Museveni, representing the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), won the election with about 71.6 percent of the vote, defeating his closest challenger, opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, widely known as Bobi Wine, who received roughly a quarter of the ballots cast.
The win grants Museveni, now 81 years old, another five-year term, reinforcing his position as one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders since he first took power in 1986.
Announcing the results in Kampala, Electoral Commission Chairperson Simon Byabakama said the poll had been conducted in accordance with the law and that Museveni had met all constitutional requirements to be declared president-elect.
In a statement following the announcement, Museveni thanked Ugandans for what he described as a renewed mandate, pledging to prioritise economic transformation, peace and national unity. “Ugandans have once again chosen stability and progress,” he said.
The election, however, was conducted in a tense political climate marked by heavy security deployment, restrictions on opposition activities and a temporary nationwide internet shutdown during voting and tallying. These measures drew criticism from civil society groups and opposition parties.
Bobi Wine rejected the outcome, alleging widespread irregularities, intimidation of voters and arrests of opposition supporters. He said the results did not reflect the will of the people and indicated that his party was considering legal options.
Police dismissed claims of unlawful detention and said security measures were intended to maintain public order.
Observers noted that while voting day passed relatively peacefully in many areas, the broader electoral environment raised concerns over political freedoms, media access and the level playing field for contestants.
Uganda’s electoral process has frequently been contested, particularly after constitutional amendments removed presidential term limits in 2005 and age limits in 2017, changes that enabled Museveni to continue contesting.
Museveni retains strong backing in rural regions, where supporters credit him with restoring stability after years of turmoil and driving infrastructure development.
His administration has also promoted large-scale investments in energy, transport and oil and gas projects.
Meanwhile, Bobi Wine has emerged as a major political force among urban voters and young people, campaigning on governance reforms, unemployment and corruption in a country with a predominantly youthful population.
As the dust settles, attention is turning to whether the opposition will formally challenge the results in court, a path taken after previous elections.
Museveni is expected to be sworn in later this year, beginning another term that will further shape Uganda’s political and economic trajectory.