Yoweri Museveni Takes A lead in the Uganda Polls,bobby wine Comes Second.
ncumbent President Yoweri Museveni has surged ahead in the early tally of Uganda's fiercely contested presidential election, securing a commanding provisional lead according to figures released by the Uganda Electoral Commission (EC) on Friday morning.
With results from approximately 45% of polling stations reported, Museveni of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) stands at 76.25%, equivalent to roughly 3.9 million votes
His main challenger, opposition leader and pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine (real name Robert Kyagulanyi) of the National Unity Platform (NUP), trails with 19.85%, or about 1.3 million votes. The remaining votes are distributed among six other candidates, including notable figures like Nandala Mafabi of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), who has garnered around 2% in some breakdowns.
The announcement came amid an atmosphere of high tension following Thursday's voting (January 15, 2026), which was marred by widespread logistical delays, technical glitches at polling stations, and a nationwide internet blackout imposed by authorities. Reports from international observers, including the United Nations, have highlighted allegations of repression during the campaign, including arrests, violence, and restrictions on opposition activities.
Museveni, now 81 and seeking an unprecedented seventh five-year term after ruling since 1986, has maintained dominance in rural strongholds and western regions, where his support base remains solid. The provisional figures align closely with his pre-election predictions—he had publicly stated an expectation of around 80% if the process remained free of irregularities
Bobi Wine, 43, who first challenged Museveni in the disputed 2021 election, has built significant backing among urban youth, particularly in the central region including Kampala. His campaign emphasized anti-corruption, job creation, and democratic reforms, resonating with a generation frustrated by decades of one-man rule. However, Wine and his party have rejected the early results, alleging massive fraud, ballot stuffing, and intimidation. Wine's camp claims he is under effective house arrest, with police surrounding his home—accusations authorities have denied.
