Museveni, in power since 1986, for the 7th time to Uganda's presidency

President Yoweri Museveni, Uganda's longest-serving leader, has succeeded in further extending his four-decade rule by securing a massive 72% of the vote in the recently concluded presidential election. His supporters describe this victory as comparable to his historic 74% win in the first direct presidential election held in 1996.

The 81-year-old Museveni, who came to power in 1986 by overthrowing Milton Obote's regime, has demonstrated through this result that he still maintains unwavering popularity among the Ugandan people. However, his main rival, Bobi Wine, has vehemently rejected the outcome, calling it a "sham victory," and it is reported that he is currently in hiding due to pressure and house raids by security forces.

Despite global economic crises and political instability, Museveni conducted his election campaign by prioritizing the stability he brought to the country and his future economic vision. His primary promise was a plan to transform Uganda into a middle-income country by 2030. He highlighted the emerging oil industry as the main factor for this. The first crude oil exports are scheduled to begin next October via the 1,443 km long pipeline extending to Tanzania's Tanga port, which Museveni believes will accelerate the country's economic growth. Although advanced in age, he toured over 140 constituencies to demonstrate that he is still an active leader, but occasional illnesses and program cancellations also sparked some discussion about his health.

This election has brought a severe setback for opposition candidate Bobi Wine, as his vote share dropped from 35% in 2021 to 25% this time. While his declining popularity in a country with a majority youth population is problematic, Wine claims that the government intimidated his supporters throughout the campaign using tear gas and live ammunition. Although he accused numerous irregularities, including ballot stuffing, during the election process, he has failed to provide sufficient evidence or elicit a response from authorities. Facing the fate of many opposition leaders in African politics, Wine's political journey appears uncertain amidst continuous defeats and state repression.

Political commentators point out that Museveni's victory is not merely a personal triumph but part of a long-term power transfer process occurring within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the state structure. A notable feature is the concentration of power around the President's family members. His son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, handles all security matters as the Chief of Defence Staff, while his eldest daughter, Natasha Karugire, oversees the President's daily affairs. Additionally, his son-in-law, Odrek Rwabwogo, contributes to economic policy formulation, and his half-brother, Salim Saleh, is involved in foreign relations and military affairs. This consolidation of power around the family circle appears to ensure that the country's governance will remain within the family's grasp even in a post-Museveni era.

However, this election victory is marred by numerous allegations of corruption. Reports indicate that vote buying, misuse of state property, and the practice of distributing money, known as the "khaki envelope" culture, were prevalent throughout the election campaign. Even in the ruling party's internal primary contests, there were instances of delegates being paid to secure nominations, and civil society activists point out that such uncontrolled election financing has severely distorted the country's democracy. Although the President spoke against corruption, critics believe that in practice, the electoral mechanism operates based on bribes and influence. Ultimately, despite allegations of corruption and criticisms of family rule, Ugandan voters appear to have decided to place their trust in the experienced leader.