ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — The African Union Commission (AUC) has praised the conduct of Uganda’s presidential elections and congratulated President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on his re-election, even as international observers raised concerns over intimidation, arrests, and a nationwide internet shutdown.
In a statement, AUC Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf commended the peaceful conduct of the polls and said Museveni secured victory with 71.61 P.c of the vote in the presidential election held on January 15, 2026.
“The Chairperson of the African Union Commission commends the conduct of the elections in Uganda and congratulates Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on his re-election,” the statement read.
Youssouf also expressed appreciation for former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who led the joint AU–COMESA–IGAD election observation mission, and applauded Ugandans for participating in the vote.
He described voter engagement as a reflection of the public’s commitment to democratic consolidation, peace, security, and development, while reaffirming the AU’s broader mandate to promote democracy, good governance, and development across the continent.
Earlier on Saturday, the joint AU–COMESA–IGAD mission said its observers did not find evidence of ballot stuffing at the polling stations they monitored, describing the voting process as largely peaceful.
“To the best of our knowledge from our team, there was no evidence of ballot stuffing,” Jonathan said, adding that observers witnessed the closing process at four or five polling stations.
However, Jonathan cautioned that the mission did not cover all polling stations nationwide, noting that its findings were limited to the areas visited by observers.
Despite the overall calm reported at polling centres, the observation mission raised serious concerns about the broader electoral environment. Observers cited reports of intimidation, arrests, and abductions targeting opposition figures and civil society actors, warning that such actions had eroded public trust in the electoral process.
The mission also criticised Uganda’s nationwide internet shutdown, saying it disrupted effective election observation and heightened suspicion among voters and monitors.
Observers further noted that voting started late at some polling stations, though they said polling-day procedures at the stations they observed remained orderly.
Museveni’s re-election extends his long rule, even as opposition groups and rights organisations continue to question the political space and civil liberties in Uganda.
