Uganda Electoral Commission Issues Fresh Update on Presidential Election Results

Uganda’s Electoral Commission released the first set of preliminary results from the January 15, 2026, presidential election late on polling day, showing incumbent President Yoweri Museveni in the lead. 

As announced by NTV Uganda citing the EC, valid votes counted so far stand at 23,049 from 133 polling stations, representing about 0.26 per cent of all polling stations nationwide.

According to the figures, Museveni of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) garnered 14,232 votes, translating to 61.7 per cent. 

His closest challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine of the National Unity Platform (NUP), received 7,753 votes, equivalent to 33.64 per cent.

Other candidates trailed far behind, with Nandala Mafabi of FDC receiving 560 votes (2.43 per cent), Mugisha Muntu of ANT polling 164 votes (0.71 per cent), Frank Bulira 84 votes (0.36 per cent), Mubarak Munyagwa 145 votes (0.63 per cent), Robert Kasibante 66 votes (0.29 per cent) and Joseph Mabirizi 45 votes (0.20 per cent).

In total, 23,845 votes had been processed by the time of the announcement, including 796 invalid ballots representing 3.34 per cent, and 37 spoiled votes.

The Electoral Commission stated that the next official update would be released at 9:00am on January 16, 2026, with the final presidential results expected by 4:00pm on January 17, in line with the 48-hour constitutional deadline. 

The results so far cover only a tiny fraction of Uganda’s more than 21 million registered voters.

The early tally has emerged amid widespread reports of delayed voting caused by malfunctioning biometric kits, as well as an ongoing internet shutdown that authorities say is meant to curb misinformation. 

However, critics argue the blackout limits transparency and makes real-time verification difficult. Opposition leaders have also raised concerns over alleged ballot stuffing, harassment of agents and abductions.

Bobi Wine has rejected the preliminary figures, urging Ugandans to resist what he has described as a rigged electoral process. 

Museveni, now 81 and in power since 1986, is widely expected to secure another term, though observers warn that unresolved complaints could trigger post-election tension.