Museveni leads in tense election marred by internet shutdown and voting interference

Uganda’s long-serving president Yoweri Museveni has taken an early lead in the country’s 2026 presidential election, a fiercely contested vote overshadowed by an internet shutdown, voting delays and allegations of interference, according to reports from election monitors and opposition figures.
Preliminary results released by the Electoral Commission show Museveni ahead of his closest challenger, opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, as counting continues nationwide. The vote, held amid heightened political tension, has once again placed Uganda’s democratic process under intense scrutiny both at home and abroad.

The election was conducted under a nationwide internet blackout, imposed days before voters went to the polls. Authorities defended the shutdown as a security measure aimed at preventing misinformation and unrest, but critics argue it limited transparency, disrupted election monitoring and restricted the flow of information during a critical democratic exercise.

Voting itself was marked by logistical challenges, including late opening of polling stations, malfunctioning biometric voter verification machines and shortages of election materials in some areas. These issues sparked frustration among voters and raised concerns about the credibility of the process.
Tensions escalated further as the opposition accused security forces of intimidation, harassment of party agents and interference with voting and vote counting. Bobi Wine’s camp alleged ballot stuffing and voter suppression in several regions, claims the government and electoral authorities have rejected as unfounded.

Despite the accusations, Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for nearly four decades, appears set to extend his grip on power if the early trends are confirmed. His supporters point to stability and security as reasons for his continued popularity, while critics argue the election reflects a shrinking democratic space.
As Ugandans await the final results, the conduct of the election rather than just the outcome has become a central issue. The tense atmosphere underscores deep political divisions in the country and renews debate over governance, civil liberties and the future of democracy in Uganda.