With the general election set for next week, Uganda finds itself at a crossroads between decades of continuous leadership and a promise of change from a youthful challenger. President Yoweri Museveni, 81, who has led the country since 1986, is seeking a seventh consecutive term.
His main rival, Bobi Wine, 43, a former musician who entered politics, is campaigning on reform and pledges to reshape governance.
The election campaign has been fraught with tension. Opposition events have frequently been disrupted, activists detained, and rallies broken up by police. In a nation where most citizens are under 30, economic concerns, particularly youth unemployment, have become central to the debate.
Election timing and process
Voting will take place on Thursday, 15 January, opening at 07:00 local time (04:00 GMT) and closing at 16:00. Anyone still in line at closing will be allowed to vote.
Positions up for election
More than 21 million Ugandans are registered to vote in three elections: the presidency, 353 parliamentary constituency seats, and 146 women representatives at the district level.
Election workers have been preparing for voting dayPHOTO/REUTERS
Leading presidential candidates
Museveni and Bobi Wine dominate the eight-candidate field. This is their second head-to-head contest; Museveni won the 2021 election with 58% of votes to Bobi Wine’s 35%, amid allegations of vote manipulation and repression.
Yoweri Museveni – National Resistance Movement (NRM)
Museveni came to power 40 years ago as a guerrilla leader promising to restore democracy following years of dictatorship and civil war. Once seen as a beacon of African reform, his rule has drawn criticism for human rights abuses and the suppression of opposition figures. Constitutional amendments removing age and term limits have enabled him to remain in power. He argues that he is “the country's sole guarantor of stability and progress.”
Bobi Wine – National Unity Platform (NUP)
Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, is the most prominent opposition candidate. Nicknamed the “ghetto president,” he enjoys strong support among young, urban voters seeking change. In 2021, he helped reduce Museveni’s vote share to its lowest yet and established NUP as the largest opposition party.
Despite continued harassment by security forces, he continues to campaign alongside other contenders, including Frank Bulira, Robert Kasibante, Joseph Mabirizi, Nandala Mafabi, Mugisha Muntu, and Mubarak Munyagwa. Veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye remains barred from contesting after being jailed on treason charges in 2024.
Key voter concerns
Economic challenges, especially unemployment, dominate voter priorities. Although average incomes have risen slightly since the pandemic, job opportunities have not kept pace with the youth population.
Infrastructure deficits, unequal access to education and healthcare, and corruption are also major concerns. Uganda ranks 140th out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.
Election fairness and security
Uganda’s elections have often faced scrutiny. Officials insist the vote will be fair, yet UN experts warn of a “pervasive climate of fear.”
Opposition rallies, particularly those led by Bobi Wine, have been disrupted, with Amnesty International describing these measures as “a brutal campaign of repression.” The government says these actions are necessary to prevent violence.
Bobi Wine has urged voters to “stay at polling stations and safeguard their ballots to help prevent vote rigging.” Election authorities advise citizens to vote peacefully and leave, assuring that counting will be transparent and monitored by party agents, media, and election observers.
Concerns remain over a potential internet shutdown to impede result verification, though NUP has a Bluetooth-based monitoring app to counter such disruptions.
When to expect results
Presidential results are expected by 16:00 local time (13:00 GMT) on Saturday, 17 January, provided the process goes smoothly. By law, the electoral commission must declare the outcome within 48 hours of voting.
Presidential vote procedure
Votes are counted at polling stations before being transmitted to a central tallying center. A candidate must secure over 50% of votes to win outright, otherwise a runoff is held within 30 days between the two leading candidates. Museveni has historically surpassed the 50% threshold in all previous elections.
