Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has won a seventh term in office, cementing his long-standing grip on the East African nation. His victory was marred by violence, arrests, and internet shutdowns, which have instilled fear among opposition supporters and civil society.
Museveni, 81, secured 71.65% of the vote, beating out Bobi Wine, a prominent opposition leader who finished with 24.72%. Wine, 43, has been a vocal critic of Museveni's rule and was found hiding on Saturday after his home was raided by security forces.
The election was marked by controversy, including reports of ballot stuffing, intimidation, and violence against the opposition. Analysts have long viewed this year's election as a formality, given Museveni's strong hold on power.
In the wake of the election, African observers have expressed concerns about the human rights situation in Uganda. The shutdown of the internet disrupted effective observation and increased suspicion, according to Goodluck Jonathan, a former Nigerian president who represented election observers from the African Union.
Despite this, the overall conduct of the polls was described as peaceful. However, reports of violence against opposition supporters have raised concerns about Museveni's authoritarian grip on power.
The other major opposition figure, Kizza Besigye, is currently on trial in Uganda for treason after being abducted in Kenya last year. The situation remains tense, with many fearing that Wine will be silenced or intimidated into not challenging Museveni in future elections.
Museveni's rule has been marked by controversy and violence, and many are skeptical about the legitimacy of his re-election. Analysts have credited him for successfully emasculating the opposition, making it difficult for opponents to challenge his power.
Museveni, 81, secured 71.65% of the vote, beating out Bobi Wine, a prominent opposition leader who finished with 24.72%. Wine, 43, has been a vocal critic of Museveni's rule and was found hiding on Saturday after his home was raided by security forces.
The election was marked by controversy, including reports of ballot stuffing, intimidation, and violence against the opposition. Analysts have long viewed this year's election as a formality, given Museveni's strong hold on power.
In the wake of the election, African observers have expressed concerns about the human rights situation in Uganda. The shutdown of the internet disrupted effective observation and increased suspicion, according to Goodluck Jonathan, a former Nigerian president who represented election observers from the African Union.
Despite this, the overall conduct of the polls was described as peaceful. However, reports of violence against opposition supporters have raised concerns about Museveni's authoritarian grip on power.
The other major opposition figure, Kizza Besigye, is currently on trial in Uganda for treason after being abducted in Kenya last year. The situation remains tense, with many fearing that Wine will be silenced or intimidated into not challenging Museveni in future elections.
Museveni's rule has been marked by controversy and violence, and many are skeptical about the legitimacy of his re-election. Analysts have credited him for successfully emasculating the opposition, making it difficult for opponents to challenge his power.
I'm still trying to wrap my head around Museveni's seventh term in office... 71.65% is crazy high 
. Can't say I blame Bobi Wine for being worried after that raid on his house 
. The internet shutdown during the election was super suspicious too 
. Anyone know how many observers were from the African Union? 
Anyway, it's not looking good for Uganda's human rights situation... 
museveni won again but like totally unconstitutionally lol and people r dyin over here 
i mean what even is 71% of the vote if its rigged anyway? my cousin's friend's brother actually got arrested because he was trying to cast his ballot 
i'm so worried about bobi wine tho, like how did they find him hiding at his own house 
and goodluck jonathan saying that internet shutdown is super sus... like what even is democracy without the internet? 
anyway, museveni's 7th term is just proof that he's got this power thing down pat 
but honestly, i'm lowkey rooting for uganda to rise up against him 
u should all be worried about his authoritarian vibes 
. Seven terms is a lot, you know? It's like he's got this iron grip on the country and anyone who tries to rock the boat gets silenced or arrested 
. The opposition is already reeling from the violence and intimidation, and it's gonna take a miracle for them to come back strong. And Kizza Besigye, being in trial right now? That's just a sign of how far the system has sunk 
. Museveni might've won this election, but at what cost to the country's future? 
, this is so not good 
71.65% of the vote is crazy 
. And can we talk about how they shut down the internet 
! I'm so worried about Bobi Wine and Kizza Besigye, they're basically being silenced 
The African Union needs to step in and make sure this isn't just a total farce 
. Can we get an independent recount or something? 
!
. However, this election was far from democratic and has raised serious concerns about Uganda's human rights situation 
. The shutdown of the internet during the polls not only undermined the integrity of the process but also restricted the ability of observers to effectively monitor the election 
.
. One thing is certain, however: Museveni's rule has cemented his position as one of Africa's most entrenched authoritarian leaders 
. And what's up with all these internet shutdowns? Like, can't they just let people have some freedom to express themselves online... oh wait, that would require Museveni being human 
. This whole thing just feels like more of the same, with Museveni just coasting through life as if nobody can touch him 
.
It's no wonder they shut down the internet and arrested people who were trying to speak out against him. Like, what even is that? 
The whole thing just feels like a farce to me. And Bobi Wine getting raided at his own home... 
come on, 71.65%? that's like, not even trying to hide it, lol. Museveni must be thinking he's got a monopoly on Ugandan politics 
, but when you've got a president who's been in charge for like, forever 
, it's hard not to be skeptical about the whole system 
that's just crazy. I feel bad for Bobi Wine and Kizza Besigye who are going through this 
it's like Museveni has these super strong connections to get away with all this stuff 
. Museveni's 71.65% win is super suspicious and I think it's clear he's more interested in maintaining control than actually representing the people 
. All those arrests, internet shutdowns, and violence against opposition supporters are just major deal-breakers 
.
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why do ppl in uganda care so much about who wins the election? does it make a diff if its president museveni or bobi wine? 
. It's like Museveni is using fear to keep people in line 
#UgandaElections #HumanRightsMatter #DemocracyInAction