Museveni Says He Expects an 80% Landslide Win If Uganda’s Election Is Free and Fair

President Yoweri Museveni has expressed confidence that he will secure a landslide victory in Uganda’s highly charged general election, saying he expects to win more than 80 percent of the vote if the process is conducted fairly.

Ugandans went to the polls on Thursday, January 15, following an election period that was overshadowed by unrest, heavy security presence, and a nationwide internet shutdown. The tense atmosphere raised concerns among voters and observers alike.

At 81 years old, Museveni is seeking to further extend his long rule, which already spans several decades. Throughout his campaign, he emphasized continuity and stability, using the message of “protecting the gains” while pledging to preserve peace and push Uganda toward middle-income economic status.

His main challenger, 43-year-old opposition leader Bobi Wine, gained strong backing from young people who are increasingly unhappy with unemployment and limited economic opportunities. Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world, with the average citizen just over 16 years old.

The campaign period was marked by violent clashes, particularly at Bobi Wine’s rallies. Security forces repeatedly dispersed his supporters, resulting in at least one death and the arrest of hundreds. Authorities defended the actions, claiming they were necessary to control disorderly behavior.

On voting day, several polling stations in Kampala experienced delays after biometric voter identification machines failed to function properly. President Museveni said investigations were underway to determine the cause of the technical problems.

Earlier in the week, the government ordered a shutdown of internet services nationwide, citing the need to prevent the spread of false election information. As a result, many Ugandans resorted to offline messaging platforms to communicate during the voting period.