Incumbent President Museveni takes strong lead in Uganda election count

Museveni is credited with 76 percent in early results; violence reported with opponent Bobi Wine under house arrest.Published On 16 Jan 2026President Yoweri Museveni was reported to hold a commanding lead as officials conducted a vote count in Uganda’s elections.Based on tallies from nearly half of polling stations, Uganda’s Electoral Commission reported on Friday that the longstanding ruler of the Central African nation had taken 76.25 percent of the vote.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3What’s at stake in Uganda’s presidential election?list 2 of 3Uganda, Elections & the Internetlist 3 of 3Uganda faces mounting calls to end internet blackout before electionsend of listMeanwhile, Museveni’s main challenger, pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine, had gained just 19.85 percent, and was under house arrest, according to his party, as reports of violence began to emerge.The remaining votes were split among six ‍other candidates, the Electoral Commission said.Museveni, who has held office since 1986, ⁠told reporters after casting his ballot on Thursday, that he expected to win with 80 percent of the vote “if there’s no cheating”. Victory would hand the former rebel leader a seventh term in office.Wine, whose legal name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has alleged massive fraud during the election, which was held under an internet blackout, provoking criticism from international institutions.His National Unity ​Platform (NUP) party wrote on its X account late on Thursday that ‌the military and police had surrounded Wine’s house in the capital, Kampala, “effectively placing him under house arrest”.Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke told the Reuters news agency that he was not aware of Wine being placed under house arrest.‘Repression and intimidation’The United Nations human rights office said last week that the election was being held in an environment of “widespread repression and intimidation”.