Five (5) Reasons Why 81-Year-Old Museveni Wins 7th Term as Uganda’s President

IntroductionOn January 17, 2026, Uganda's Electoral Commission declared Yoweri Museveni, aged 81, the winner of the presidential election with 71.65% of the vote, securing his seventh term since seizing power in 1986. This extends his rule into a fifth decade, making him one of Africa's longest-serving leaders. Despite facing opposition from pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine (who garnered around 24.7% and rejected the results as "fake"), Museveni's victory was widely anticipated amid a tense campaign involving internet blackouts, opposition crackdowns, and fraud allegations. Here are the key reasons behind his landslide win.1. Control Over State Institutions and Security ApparatusMuseveni's dominance stems from his total control over Uganda's state machinery. As a former rebel leader who ended post-independence chaos, he has built an unchallenged grip on the military, police, and security forces. This apparatus ensures loyalty and suppresses dissent, with reports of intimidation, arrests, and violence against opposition supporters during the campaign. The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) also commands parliamentary majorities, reinforcing institutional advantages.2. Constitutional Changes to Remove Term and Age LimitsMuseveni has strategically amended the constitution multiple times — removing presidential term limits in 2005 and age limits in 2017 — to enable indefinite rule. These reforms, often criticized internationally, legally paved the way for his continued candidacy, eliminating formal barriers and allowing him to run unchallenged in structure.3. Portrayal as Guarantor of Stability and Economic ProgressMany Ugandans credit Museveni with bringing relative stability after decades of conflict and overseeing economic growth. He campaigned on "protecting the gains," emphasizing peace, infrastructure development, and aspirations for middle-income status by 2030. Despite criticisms over human rights, his narrative resonates in a nation wary of instability, earning gratitude from some citizens and even Western partners for regional contributions like troops in Somalia and hosting refugees.4. Weak and Fragmented OppositionAnalysts note that Museveni faced a relatively weak opposition, with figures like Bobi Wine unable to unify challengers. The opposition's efforts were hampered by harassment, detentions, and a lack of cohesion, making it difficult to mount a credible threat. While Wine mobilized youth (Uganda's population is largely under 30), the incumbent's experience and resources proved overwhelming.5. Electoral Advantages and Alleged IrregularitiesThe election process favored the incumbent through measures like an internet shutdown (to curb misinformation, per authorities, but condemned internationally) and reliance on manual voter registers after biometric failures. Opposition claims of ballot stuffing and intimidation persisted, though observers like the African Union found no direct evidence in monitored areas. These dynamics contributed to Museveni's commanding lead.ConclusionMuseveni's seventh-term victory reflects a combination of institutional control, constitutional maneuvering, stability appeals, and opposition weaknesses — despite controversies over repression and credibility. As Uganda navigates succession questions (including his son's rising role), this win underscores the challenges of democratic transitions in long-ruling systems. While supporters hail continuity, critics see it as entrenching authoritarianism.