By: Manoah Kikekon
KAMPALA, Uganda — Early provisional results from Uganda’s high-stakes presidential election show the incumbent, 81-year-old President Yoweri Museveni, maintaining a commanding lead over his primary challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
According to the latest data released by the Uganda Electoral Commission on Friday morning, Museveni has secured 76.25% of the vote (approximately 3.9 million ballots) with 45% of polling stations reporting. Bobi Wine currently trails with **19.85% (1.3 million votes). While these figures suggest a significant gap, the final outcome remains unconfirmed as more than half of the country's polling units are yet to be tallied.
The election, held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, has been clouded by a nationwide internet shutdown and reports of restricted communications. Bobi Wine has taken to social media to vehemently reject the early figures, characterizing the process as a "coordinated clampdown" on democracy.
In a series of statements shared on X (formerly Twitter), the opposition leader alleged: Widespread Ballot Stuffing: Claims that illegal votes were cast in favor of the ruling party across multiple regions. Technological Failures: Widespread reports that Biometric Voter Verification Kit (BVVK) machines failed to function, forcing officials to rely on manual registers. Targeted Arrests:** The detention of key opposition figures, including the National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy President for the Western Region.
As the Electoral Commission continues to announce results from its headquarters in Kampala, the city remains under heavy military and police surveillance. Bobi Wine reported that many of his polling agents were abducted or forcibly removed from stations during the counting process, further fueling concerns over the transparency of the vote.
"The world needs to know what is happening in Uganda," Wine wrote, urging citizens to "rise to the occasion" and reject what he describes as an authoritarian regime. Conversely, President Museveni, who has held power since 1986, has previously dismissed such allegations, insisting on the integrity of the electoral process and his role in maintaining national stability.
With 55% of the votes still to be counted, the Electoral Commission is expected to provide further updates throughout the weekend. International observers and civil society groups are closely monitoring the situation, though the internet blackout has significantly hampered real-time reporting from rural districts.
Under Ugandan law, the final results must be declared within 48 hours of the polls closing. As the gap between the two leading candidates remains wide, the focus now shifts to whether the opposition will legally challenge the results or if the country will see a surge in civil unrest.