The African Union (AU) has officially endorsed Uganda’s 15 January 2026 presidential election results, congratulating President Yoweri Museveni on securing a seventh term with 71.61% of the vote — a swift approval that has sparked both praise and fierce backlash.
In a statement issued just two days after polling, AU Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf applauded Uganda’s electoral process, commending the leadership of the AU Observer Mission headed by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.
The continental body hailed the vote as a step forward in democratic practice, despite mounting reports of serious election-day challenges.
However, International media outlets including BBC and Reuters reported nationwide internet shutdowns, biometric voter verification failures, and heavy security presence, while opposition supporters faced restrictions throughout the voting period. Rights groups have also documented alleged crackdowns and forced disappearances of opposition figures.
The AU’s positive assessment sharply contrasts with statements from National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Bobi Wine, who rejected the results outright, alleging vote rigging, intimidation, and manipulation of tallying processes. Bobi Wine has since called for peaceful nationwide protests, a message widely amplified by global media including Al Jazeera and The Guardian.
As Museveni extends his rule to nearly 40 years in power, questions continue to swirl around Uganda’s democratic future.
Meanwhile, the AU’s quick endorsement has triggered a wave of criticism on X (formerly Twitter), where users accuse the bloc of turning a blind eye to election irregularities. Some commenters have gone as far as labeling the AU’s stance as “enabling authoritarianism,” pointing to reports by Human Rights Watch on alleged abductions and suppression of opposition voices.
With political tension rising and public trust in institutions under strain, Uganda now enters a critical post-election period watched closely both at home and across the continent.
