The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has commended the conduct of Uganda’s presidential elections and congratulated President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on his re-election, following polls held on January 15.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Youssouf hailed the outcome of the vote in which Museveni secured 71.61 percent of the ballots cast, extending his leadership for another five-year term.
“The Chairperson of the African Union Commission commends the conduct of the elections in the Republic of Uganda and congratulates H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on his re-election as President,” Youssouf said.
He noted that the process reflected the commitment of Ugandans to democratic governance.
He also expressed appreciation to the leadership of the Joint African Union–Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)–Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Election Observation Mission, which monitored the polls across the country.
“The Chairperson expresses his sincere appreciation to H.E. Goodluck Jonathan, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for his sterling leadership of the Joint AU–COMESA–IGAD Election Observation Mission to Uganda,” the statement read.
Youssouf further reaffirmed the African Union Commission’s commitment to supporting democratic processes and effective governance across the continent, while applauding Ugandans for maintaining peace and stability during the electoral period.
“He reiterates the commitment of the African Union Commission to continue supporting the promotion of democracy and effective governance on the continent, and applauds the people of Uganda for their dedication to consolidating democratic gains, peace, security and development,” he said.
President Museveni was officially declared winner of the presidential race by the Electoral Commission on Saturday after garnering more than 7.9 million votes out of approximately 11.3 million valid ballots cast.
His closest challenger, National Unity Platform leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, received over 2.7 million votes, with the remaining votes shared among six other candidates.
Announcing the results at the National Tally Centre in Kampala, Electoral Commission Chairperson Simon Byabakama described the polls as generally peaceful and urged any aggrieved parties to seek redress through the courts.
Preliminary findings from the AU observer mission noted that the elections were conducted in a calmer environment compared to the 2021 polls, although observers raised concerns about reported harassment of opposition figures, the suspension of some civil society organisations and an internet shutdown issues the government has previously dismissed.
Museveni’s victory secures him a seventh five-year term, extending his time in power to more than four decades since he first assumed office in 1986.
