Uganda election results: Yoweri Museveni wins a seventh term
Uganda's electoral commission announced on Saturday that President Yoweri Museveni a seventh term, extending his decades-long rule by another five years. The announcement followed a tense and closely contested election campaign between the old guard and a rising generation of young leaders.
The official committee reported that Museveni won the presidential election after obtaining a majority of votes with a percentage of (71.65%) , far ahead of his closest rival, the opposition candidate and former singing star Bobi Wine , who obtained (24.72%) of the voters’ votes, according to the announced figures.
Historical background: Decades of rule
Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, is one of the longest-serving leaders on the African continent. He came to power after a five-year guerrilla war and was initially seen by the West as part of a new generation of African leaders who would bring stability and democracy after years of turmoil under Idi Amin and Milton Obote. However, recent years have seen controversial constitutional amendments, including the removal of term limits and age restrictions, paving the way for his continued rule.
Generational conflict and the political landscape
This election was marked by a clear generational clash in a country where the majority of the population is under 30. The main challenger, Bobi Wine (38), represented the voice of young people angered by unemployment and corruption, using his artistic appeal to garner support in urban areas. In contrast, Museveni (76) relied on his traditional base in rural areas and his image as the guarantor of security and economic growth in the country.
Regional and international importance
Museveni's victory carries significant regional implications, as Uganda is a strategic ally of the United States and Western countries on security and counterterrorism issues in East Africa, particularly through its substantial contribution to peacekeeping forces in Somalia. However, this latest extension presents the international community with challenges in balancing security interests with support for democracy and human rights, especially given the criticism leveled at the electoral process and the security forces' handling of the opposition.
