Politics News

Museveni declared winner of a seventh term in Uganda as Bobi Wine goes into hiding

Uganda's Electoral Commission declared President Yoweri Museveni, 81, the winner of the presidential election on Saturday, January 17, giving him a seventh term in a rule that began in 1986. NPR reported that he received 71.65% of the vote, against 24.7% for opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine, of the National Unity Platform. The vote took place under a government-imposed internet blackout, and several international observers were barred.

Bobi Wine rejected the results. NPR said police raided his home late on Friday and that he says he escaped; he alleged that dozens of his supporters were killed. Police said seven people died after attacking a police station.

“Currently, I am not at home, although my wife and other family members remain under house arrest.” — Bobi Wine, via NPR

Uganda's Daily Monitor printed the full count: 11,366,201 votes cast, a turnout of about 52.5% of 21,649,067 registered voters, and the ruling NRM ahead with more than 220 parliamentary seats. It quoted police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke saying Bobi Wine was not under house arrest. South Africa's TimesLIVE summed up the result as Museveni winning just under 72%, with the opposition leader “at large”.

How each outlet framed it

• NPR — a disputed vote: the internet shutdown, barred observers, deaths and rights groups' condemnation.
• Daily Monitor — the numbers and the police line: every candidate's tally, turnout, seats and denials of an arrest.
• TimesLIVE — a short regional headline: the win, and the opposition leader's unknown whereabouts.

Where the numbers differ: NPR gives Museveni 7,944,772 votes; the Daily Monitor gives 7,946,772. Both give the same 71.65% share and 2,741,238 votes for Bobi Wine.