Museveni Wins Seventh Term, Calls Opposition 'Terrorists' as Observers Criticize Vote

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, 81, declared victory on Sunday after official results gave him a seventh term with about 72% of the vote. His speech included sharp accusations that opposition figures were "terrorists" and were plotting violence to overturn the result. Observers and rights groups raised concerns about heavy-handed repression, an internet blackout and reports of violence around the election.

Victory Speech and Accusations

In his victory address, Museveni accused the National Unity Platform (NUP) and other opponents of planning attacks on polling stations in areas where they were losing. He said some opposition members "are wrong and also terrorists," and suggested they were collaborating with foreigners and "some homosexual groups." He warned those he called "traitors" to stop their actions, saying security services were aware of alleged plots.

"Some of the opposition are wrong and also terrorists. All the traitors — this is free advice from me — stop everything, because we know what you are doing and you will not do it."

Bobi Wine, Media Access and Internet Blackout

Opposition leader Bobi Wine (Robert Kyagulanyi), credited with about 25% of the vote, said he escaped a police raid on his home and was in hiding; police denied carrying out a raid and stated he remained at his residence while blocking journalists from approaching. Wine has not posted on X since accusing authorities of "blatant theft of the presidential election."

The government imposed a nationwide internet shutdown two days before the vote, citing a need to prevent "misinformation" and "incitement to violence." Partial restoration of some services began late Saturday, but the authorities said social media platforms would remain blocked for the time being.

Reports of Violence and International Scrutiny

While large-scale unrest did not follow the result, AFP reporters documented small protests in Kampala where security forces used tear gas. The most serious allegations of election-day violence came from Butambala district, where an opposition lawmaker told AFP security forces had killed at least 10 people at his home. Officials said those deaths followed an attack on a ballot-tallying centre and a police station; Museveni echoed that account and accused the NUP of planning similar attacks "everywhere."

Human Rights Watch condemned what it called "brutal repression" of opposition figures ahead of the vote. African election observers, including a team from the African Union, reported "intimidation, arrest and abductions" that they said had "instilled fear and eroded public trust in the electoral process."

Broader Context

Analysts noted that Museveni's long control of state institutions and the security apparatus made the election outcome largely predictable, even as many Ugandans credit him with relative stability and economic improvements over decades in power. The opposition has highlighted restrictions on political activity, media and movement in the run-up to the vote. Another prominent opposition figure, Kizza Besigye, was reportedly abducted in Kenya in 2024 and returned to Uganda for a treason trial that is still ongoing.

What Remains Unclear: The exact circumstances surrounding reported violence in Butambala, the current whereabouts and condition of some opposition leaders, and the duration of the social media restrictions remain key issues for independent verification and follow-up reporting.