African Leaders Praise Uganda’s Museveni Following Fourth-Decade Election Victory

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has secured a seventh term, winning 71.65% of the vote against opposition leader Bobi Wine, extending his nearly 40-year rule. African leaders, including Rwanda’s Paul Kagame and Kenya’s William Ruto, congratulated him, praising his leadership and regional stability. Museveni hailed the results as a sign of strong party support, but the election faced controversy, including an internet shutdown, faulty voter machines, and allegations of ballot manipulation by Wine, which the government denies.

African leaders have swiftly moved to congratulate Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni following his declaration as the winner of the country’s presidential election, securing a seventh term in office and extending his nearly 40-year rule. The announcement came after Uganda’s Electoral Commission confirmed that Museveni, 81, won 71.65% of the vote in Thursday’s election, defeating his closest challenger, opposition leader Bobi Wine, who garnered 24.72% of the ballots. This victory further cements Museveni’s status as one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, having first assumed power in 1986 following years of political conflict in the country.
Among the first to publicly congratulate Museveni was Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, who praised the continued bilateral cooperation between the two East African nations. In a statement, Kagame said, “Congratulations, President @KagutaMuseveni, on your re-election as President of the Republic of Uganda. I extend my best wishes to you and the people of Uganda as you continue to serve your nation for the prosperity of your people. I look forward to the continued strong and productive cooperation between our two countries.” Kagame’s message emphasized both the personal relationship between the two leaders and the strategic importance of stable ties in the region.
Kenya’s President William Ruto also weighed in, describing Museveni’s decisive win as a reflection of public confidence in his leadership. He said, “Your decisive victory at the just concluded competitive General Election reflects the trust that the people of the Republic of Uganda have in your personal leadership and the confidence enjoyed by the NRM party,” highlighting the perceived endorsement of Museveni’s party and governance.
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud similarly praised Museveni, linking his leadership to regional stability and development. Mohamud noted, “Under his leadership, Uganda made notable progress in development and regional stability,” and reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Uganda. The African Union Commission also joined the chorus of congratulations, with its Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, commending the conduct of the elections and congratulating Museveni on securing 71.61% of the votes cast. The AU’s statement reflected both recognition of the election process and acknowledgment of Museveni’s continued political dominance.
Other African leaders, including South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir, described Museveni’s victory as a “landslide” and expressed eagerness to deepen bilateral relations. “The people of the Republic of Uganda have once again honoured you with leadership by electing you for the seventh term,” Kiir said. “I am looking forward to closely working with you to advance bilateral relations.” Similarly, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi congratulated Museveni, emphasizing the confidence of the Ugandan people in his leadership and expressing personal goodwill, describing the election outcome as a reflection of wise governance.
After being declared the winner, Museveni struck a confident tone, noting that the results demonstrated the depth of his party’s support despite a relatively low voter turnout of 52%, 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,” Museveni said, underscoring both his political dominance and his party’s organizational capacity.
However, the election was not without controversy. Authorities imposed a days-long internet shutdown, limiting access to information and communications during the vote. Additionally, failures of biometric voter identification machines caused delays in several regions, including the capital, Kampala, complicating the voting process. Bobi Wine, 43, a former singer turned politician and Museveni’s main challenger, claimed he went into hiding after security forces raided his home shortly after the polls closed. He accused the government of ballot stuffing, particularly in areas considered strongholds of the ruling party, although these allegations were firmly denied by the government.
The combination of celebratory messages from African leaders, acknowledgment by international bodies like the African Union, and the ongoing concerns raised by opposition figures highlights the complex political environment in Uganda. While Museveni’s re-election secures continuity of leadership and reinforces long-standing regional relationships, the controversies surrounding the electoral process underscore persistent challenges regarding transparency, voter access, and political freedoms in the country. The election serves as a reminder of Uganda’s longstanding political dynamics and the deep divisions that continue to shape the nation’s democratic processes.