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PoliticsUganda

Uganda's Museveni election victory: Democracy or deception?

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January 23, 2026

President Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner of the presidential election again, but many Ugandans are asking, was this a true democratic choice, or a tightly controlled process designed to deliver a familiar result? Two opposing sides meet Under the Baobab to debate.

President Yoweri Museveni's 2026 election win has sparked sharp controversy in Uganda, with opposition groups and civil society alleging irregularities, voter intimidation, andrestrictions on mediaand opposition campaigning. While the government and electoral commission say the vote reflected the will of the people, critics argue the political playing field was heavily tilted in the incumbent's favor. In cities and on social media,many Ugandans have expressed frustration over what they see as shrinking democratic space, while Museveni's supporters point to stability and security as reasons for backing him. The disputed outcome has deepened political divisions and renewed debate over whether elections in Uganda can still deliver meaningful change. In this special episode of Under the Baobab, we sit down with two opposing voices: Mike Kennedy Sebalu, a former MP and strong supporter of Museveni, and Yusuf Sserunkuuma, an opposition politician, to unpack what this election really means for Uganda's democracy.

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