By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Africa’s Powerbrokers Rally Behind Museveni as Uganda Votes Him into a Seventh Term
Africa’s political heavyweights have closed ranks behind Uganda’s long-serving leader, Yoweri Museveni, after he was declared winner of the country’s presidential election, extending his grip on power to nearly four decades.
Uganda’s Electoral Commission announced that Museveni, 81, secured 71.65 percent of the vote in Thursday’s poll, defeating his closest challenger, opposition figure Bobi Wine, who garnered 24.72 percent.
The result hands Museveni a seventh term and further entrenches his status as one of the continent’s longest-ruling presidents since he first took office in 1986.
Within hours of the announcement, congratulatory messages poured in from across Africa, signalling diplomatic approval of the outcome and a desire to sustain regional cooperation.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame was among the first to react, praising Museveni’s re-election and reaffirming the importance of strong ties between Kigali and Kampala. He described the Ugandan leader’s victory as an opportunity to deepen collaboration between the two neighbours.
Kenya’s President William Ruto also welcomed the result, portraying it as a reflection of popular confidence in Museveni’s leadership and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). According to Ruto, the outcome showed that Ugandans had once again placed their trust in Museveni to steer the country forward.
From the Horn of Africa, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud commended Museveni’s long record in office, linking his leadership to regional stability and development.
He said Somalia remained committed to strengthening its relationship with Uganda, particularly on security and peace-building efforts.
The African Union Commission added its voice to the chorus of congratulations.
Its Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, praised the conduct of the election and formally congratulated Museveni on his re-election, noting that the poll reflected the will of Ugandan voters.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir described Museveni’s victory as a landslide and said he was eager to work more closely with Kampala to advance bilateral relations.
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi echoed similar sentiments, saying the outcome demonstrated the confidence Ugandans had in Museveni’s leadership.
Speaking after being declared winner, Museveni struck a defiant and confident tone.
He said the result showed the depth of support for his party, even as voter turnout stood at 52 percent — the lowest since Uganda returned to multiparty politics in 2006.
“The result gives a good taste of the strength of our party. The opposition are lucky. They have not seen our full strength,” he said.
However, the election was not without controversy.
The vote was marred by a nationwide internet shutdown that lasted several days, while technical failures of biometric voter identification machines delayed voting in a number of areas, including parts of the capital, Kampala.
Bobi Wine, a 43-year-old former pop star turned politician, alleged widespread irregularities and accused the authorities of ballot stuffing, particularly in regions considered strongholds of the ruling party.
He said he went into hiding after security forces raided his home shortly after the vote — claims the government has denied.
Despite the disputes, Museveni’s victory has been swiftly recognised by many of his peers across the continent, reinforcing his position as a central figure in African politics and a leader whose influence has spanned generations.
For Uganda, the result marks yet another chapter in a political era that began nearly 40 years ago — one that continues to shape the country’s future and its place on the African stage.
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