Kampala, Uganda — President Yoweri Museveni has been declared the winner of Uganda’s presidential election, securing a fresh five-year term after what authorities described as a transparent and fair voting process. The result extends his four-decade leadership following a nationwide poll that drew strong local and international attention.

According to the Electoral Commission, Museveni won with 72% of the vote, while his closest challenger, Bobi Wine, received 25%. Officials said the outcome reflected the will of voters across the country, noting that polling, tallying, and verification followed established electoral procedures. Turnout stood at 52.5%, with seven other candidates each receiving less than 2%.

Museveni, 81, first came to power in 1986 and has since won multiple elections. In his victory message, he thanked Ugandans for what he described as a peaceful and orderly process, pledging to focus on stability, economic growth, and national unity during his new term. Government sources emphasized that security deployments were aimed at maintaining calm rather than influencing the vote.

The opposition, led by Bobi Wine, rejected the results and alleged irregularities, including ballot stuffing. However, no verified evidence has been presented publicly, and authorities have not substantiated the claims. Wine urged supporters to pursue non-violent action while reiterating his call for electoral reforms.

Election week was marked by heightened security and reports of isolated violence. Authorities have confirmed several deaths, while also stating that investigations are ongoing. Temporary restrictions on internet access were imposed, with officials arguing the move was necessary to curb misinformation and prevent unrest, a position criticized by rights groups.

Police also addressed reports surrounding Wine’s movements in Kampala, saying access controls were applied in areas deemed security-sensitive. The opposition leader later said he remained safe, though his movements were limited during the tense post-election period.

During the campaign, Museveni positioned himself as a guarantor of stability in a country with a history of conflict, while Wine appealed strongly to younger voters, promising to fight corruption and introduce sweeping reforms. Uganda’s population is largely youthful, with a majority under the age of 30, making the generational contrast a central theme of the race.

With the official declaration now complete, attention shifts to governance, reconciliation, and economic priorities. Regional observers say the next phase will test how Uganda manages political tensions while advancing development goals after an election the state maintains was transparent and fairly won.