As Ugandans prepare to head to the polls next week, voters are faced with a defining choice: extending the rule of a leader who has dominated politics for nearly four decades, or backing an opposition figure hoping to harness growing calls for change.
President Yoweri Museveni, now 81 years old and in power since 1986, is seeking a seventh consecutive electoral victory. If successful, his presidency would stretch deeper into a fifth decade.
Standing against him is Bobi Wine, a 43-year-old musician-turned-politician who has positioned himself as the face of reform, promising sweeping changes to governance and a break from entrenched political practices.
The campaign period has been marked by repeated disruptions to opposition activities. These have included arrests of activists and the dispersal of opposition rallies by police. At the same time, economic pressures—particularly unemployment—have taken centre stage in a country where more than half of the population is under the age of 30.
When is Uganda’s general election?
Voting is scheduled for Thursday, 15 January. Polling stations are expected to open at 07:00 local time (04:00 GMT) and close at 16:00. Any voter still in line at closing time will be allowed to cast their ballot.
What are Ugandans voting for?
Uganda’s 21.6 million registered voters will participate in three separate elections:
- Presidential election – eight candidates are contesting the top office
- Parliamentary election (constituency seats) – 353 MPs will be elected
- Parliamentary election (women’s seats) – 146 women representatives, one from each district, will be chosen
Who could become the next president?
The race is dominated by two figures: incumbent President Yoweri Museveni and opposition leader Bobi Wine. This is the second time the two men have faced each other in a presidential contest.
In the 2021 election, Museveni secured victory with 58% of the vote, while Bobi Wine received 35%. That election was overshadowed by allegations of vote manipulation and a heavy crackdown on opposition supporters.
Yoweri Museveni – National Resistance Movement (NRM)
Museveni came to power 40 years ago after leading a guerrilla war that ended years of civil conflict and the brutal rule of Idi Amin. At the time, he was widely praised as part of a new generation of African leaders committed to democratic reform.
Over time, however, that image has faded. Critics accuse him of overseeing widespread human rights abuses, suppressing opposition voices, and ruling with increasing authoritarianism. Having reversed earlier pledges to step aside, Museveni remains the only president many Ugandans have ever known.
He is currently Africa’s third longest-serving leader and has benefited from constitutional changes that removed both age limits and presidential term limits, enabling him to continue contesting elections.
Museveni argues that his leadership guarantees stability and economic progress, portraying himself as indispensable to Uganda’s future.
Bobi Wine – National Unity Platform (NUP)
Bobi Wine, born Robert Kyagulanyi, is widely viewed as the most formidable challenger among the seven opposition candidates.
Once known for his chart-topping music, he earned the nickname “the ghetto president” and has built a strong following among young, urban, and working-class voters. Many see him as a symbol of youthful frustration with long-standing political elites.
Five years ago, Bobi Wine emerged as a serious political force, finishing second and reducing Museveni’s vote share to its lowest level in any election. His National Unity Platform subsequently became the largest opposition bloc in parliament.
Since then, Bobi Wine has continued to face pressure from security forces, including arrests and restrictions on his political activities.
The remaining candidates are Frank Bulira, Robert Kasibante, Joseph Mabirizi, Nandala Mafabi, Mugisha Muntu, and Mubarak Munyagwa.
Veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye, who has challenged Museveni four times in the past, is not contesting this election. He remains in custody on treason charges following his arrest in neighbouring Kenya in 2024—charges he denies.
What issues matter most to voters?
Economic concerns dominate voter sentiment, with unemployment ranking high among public worries. Although average income levels have gradually increased since the pandemic, job creation has not kept pace with the rapidly growing youth population.
Voters have also raised concerns about inadequate infrastructure, as well as unequal access to quality healthcare and education.
Unlike many neighbouring countries, Uganda has so far avoided sharp increases in the cost of living, which has somewhat eased pressure on the government.
Corruption remains a major issue. Uganda ranks 140th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, with reports of bribery and favouritism widespread across public institutions.
Will the election be free and fair?
Uganda’s electoral history has often drawn criticism. While officials insist this election will be credible, UN experts have expressed serious concerns, warning of what they describe as a “pervasive climate of fear”.
Human rights organisations report escalating harassment of opposition supporters during the campaign, including arrests on what they say are politically motivated charges.
Security forces have repeatedly disrupted Bobi Wine’s rallies, while those of President Museveni have largely proceeded uninterrupted.
Amnesty International has condemned the use of tear gas, pepper spray, beatings, and other forms of violence, calling it “a brutal campaign of repression”.
The government maintains that these actions are necessary to preserve peace and prevent unrest on election day.
Bobi Wine has urged voters to remain at polling stations after casting their ballots to help guard against vote manipulation. Election officials, however, have advised voters to leave once they have voted, assuring the public that counting will be transparent and monitored by party agents, journalists, and observers.
Critics continue to question the independence of the electoral commission.
There are also fears of a possible internet shutdown during the election, based on past experience. While the government denies such plans, the NUP says it has developed a vote-monitoring app that can function via Bluetooth if internet access is cut.
When will the results be announced?
If the process proceeds as scheduled, the presidential results should be announced by 16:00 local time (13:00 GMT) on Saturday, 17 January.
By law, the electoral commission must declare the outcome within 48 hours of polls closing, which is set for Thursday at 16:00.
How does the presidential vote work?
Vote counting begins at each polling station immediately after voting ends. Results are then transmitted to a central tallying centre.
To win outright in the first round, a candidate must secure more than 50% of the nationwide vote. If no candidate achieves this threshold, a run-off election between the top two contenders must take place within 30 days.
So far, President Museveni has always surpassed the 50% mark in the first round.
