EU cautiously backs Museveni’s re-election

By Newsflash Writer

The European Union (EU) has expressed support for the re-election of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni while also raising concerns about the violence and irregularities that marked the country’s recent general election.

Museveni was declared the winner by Uganda’s Electoral Commission on January 18, 2026, after securing 71.7 percent of the votes cast.

His closest challenger, opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, garnered 24.7 percent. Ugandans had headed to the polls on January 15 in an election that drew widespread regional and international scrutiny.

In a statement issued on January 23 by the European External Action Service (EEAS) Press Team in Brussels, Belgium, the EU said it had formally taken note of the outcome as announced by the electoral body.

EU acknowledges results

“The European Union takes note of the official results announced by the Electoral Commission, according to which President Yoweri Museveni has been re-elected,” the statement said.

Although the EU stopped short of offering outright congratulations, its message signaled readiness to continue diplomatic and development cooperation with Kampala.

Brussels underscored its long-standing relationship with Uganda, pointing to years of engagement not only with the government but also with civil society groups and the private sector.

The bloc added that it looks forward to continued engagement “based on shared interests and mutual respect,” indicating that existing partnerships in trade, governance, and development are expected to remain in place.

Concerns over electoral environment

Even as it acknowledged the results, the EU aligned itself with concerns raised by the AU–COMESA–IGAD Election Observation Mission in its preliminary statement released on January 17. The European bloc noted that observers had pointed to “an uneven playing field in the run-up to the elections,” which affected the overall fairness of the process.

The EU also highlighted reports of arbitrary arrests of civil society actors and the internet shutdown imposed during the election period.

According to Brussels, these developments contributed to an environment that limited political freedoms and public participation.

By echoing the regional observer mission’s findings, the EU emphasized the need for reforms aimed at strengthening democratic institutions, protecting civic space, and ensuring respect for fundamental rights in future electoral processes.

Call for restraint

The European Union further expressed regret over incidents of violence and intimidation before and after the polls, particularly those directed at opposition figures. It specifically referenced threats against Kyagulanyi and his supporters during the tense election period.

Brussels called on all sides to de-escalate tensions, urging “all parties to exercise restraint” and asking authorities to guarantee the safety of every political actor. The EU maintained that peaceful political participation and respect for human rights remain central to Uganda’s democratic progress.

Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kaneirugaba has threatened to “crush” Bobi Wine if he will not surrender to the country’s security agencies.