What a seventh term for 81-year-old leader means for Uganda

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 4 min read 100% complete January 17, 2026 at 08:55 PM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

Yoweri Museveni, Uganda's 81-year-old president, won a controversial seventh term with 72% of the vote. The victory extends his 40-year rule after he initially seized power in 1986. His main rival, Bobi Wine, who received 25% of the vote, rejected the results as fraudulent and cited a raid on his home. Museveni campaigned on his record of delivering stability and promised to elevate Uganda to middle-income status by 2030, relying heavily on the country's oil industry. Despite projecting vitality, concerns about Museveni's health arose during the campaign. Wine's significant loss, despite Uganda's young population, raises questions about the election's fairness and legitimacy.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Kampala 30% Tanga 30% Tanzania 40% BBC Africa 40% Milton Obote 40% Bobi Wine ×480% Yoweri Museveni ×990% Uganda ×8100%

Keywords

yoweri museveni 90% uganda election 90% bobi wine 80% economic stability 70% political stability 70% seventh term 70% oil industry 60% election result 60% middle-income country 50% political opposition 50%