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| Protesters in Uganda accuse electoral body of rigging Bobi Wine out |
— KAMPALA, Uganda
Uganda's January 15, 2026 general election has plunged into violence and chaos, with opposition leader Bobi Wine at the center of escalating repression. President Yoweri Museveni, 40 years in power and chasing a seventh term, holds a commanding early lead of roughly 76% according to partial results, while Wine trails far behind at about 20%.
The vote occurred under a complete nationwide internet shutdown that began days earlier, officially to prevent misinformation but widely criticized as a tool to obscure fraud and suppress dissent.
Opposition supporters report massive irregularities including ballot stuffing, voter intimidation, malfunctioning biometric voter-verification machines, and the exclusion of NUP polling agents. Locals also accuse the electoral commission of swapping Bobi Wine's votes.
Deadly clashes broke out across several districts soon after polls closed, leaving at least seven people predominantly opposition supporters dead. Security forces used tear gas and live ammunition against crowds protesting alleged rigging, particularly in Butambala and other opposition strongholds.
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| Security forces used tear gas and live ammunition against crowds protesting alleged rigging |
Tension reached a new high when Bobi Wine's party alleged that military personnel stormed his home overnight, cut power, detained associates, and forcibly removed him by helicopter to an undisclosed location. Authorities have rejected the abduction claims, insisting the singer who is now a politician remains at his residence under police guard for his own protection.
With 81-years-old Museveni poised for another decisive victory in a nation that has never witnessed a peaceful presidential handover, international alarm is growing over the repressive climate, communication blackout, and risk of wider unrest as Ugandans grapple with deeply disputed election results.