Archive · 17 Jan 2026
Museveni leads Uganda election with violence reported
Uganda had an election to choose their president.
The current president, Yoweri Museveni, is winning a lot of votes so far.
His main competitor is a singer named Bobi Wine.
The election commission shared the early results on January 16.
Museveni has about 76.25% of the votes counted, while Bobi Wine has about 19.85%.
The election is happening in Uganda's capital, Kampala.
There was some violence after the vote, with different stories about what happened.
Some people say soldiers and police hurt opposition supporters, while the police say they were attacked.
Bobi Wine says the election wasn't fair and that he is being kept in his house by the military and police.
Yoweri Museveni leads with 76.25% of votes counted in Uganda's presidential election.
Bobi Wine, the main challenger, has about 19.85% of the votes counted.
Early results were released by the election commission on January 16.
Violence reported in Butambala, with conflicting accounts of what happened.
Bobi Wine alleges mass fraud and claims to be under house arrest.
- Who
- Yoweri Museveni and Bobi Wine
- What
- Uganda's presidential election
- When
- January 14, 2021
- Where
- Kampala, Uganda
- Why
- To elect the president of Uganda
Government/Authorities
Opposition
Violence in Butambala
Government/Authorities
Police claim opposition 'goons' attacked a police station with weapons and the police fired in self-defence, resulting in fatalities and injuries.
Opposition
Human rights activists claim soldiers and police killed at least 10 opposition supporters with tear gas and live bullets.
Internet Blackout
Government/Authorities
Authorities stated the internet blackout was needed to prevent 'misinformation'.
Opposition
Bobi Wine alleged the internet blackout facilitated mass fraud during the election.
Election Violence
Government/Authorities
The government defended actions against opposition rallies as a response to lawless behaviour by opposition supporters.
Opposition
Wine's rallies were repeatedly interrupted by security forces firing tear gas and bullets, with at least one person killed and hundreds arrested.
- Candidate
- Yoweri Museveni
- Vote Percentage
- 76.25%
- Main Challenger
- Bobi Wine
- Challenger's Vote Percentage
- 19.85%
- Election Date
- January 14, 2021
- Results Release Date
- January 16, 2021
- Location
- Kampala, Uganda
- Violence Location
- Butambala, 55 km southwest of Kampala
- Internet Blackout Reason
- Prevent 'misinformation'
- Opposition Claims
- Mass fraud and house arrest of Bobi Wine
Sources
Uganda’s President Museveni takes strong lead in early election results
Uganda’s President Museveni takes commanding lead in early election results
Uganda’s President Museveni takes commanding election lead, deadly violence reported
At least seven killed in Uganda violence, Museveni dominates election results
Ugandan opposition leader ‘forcibly taken,’ party says, as President Museveni nears reelection