African Union Sparks Outrage After Backing Museveni Election Victory in Uganda
The African Union (AU) has courted controversy after publicly commending the conduct of Uganda’s recently concluded general election, a move that has triggered a wave of criticism from opposition supporters and sections of the public who claim the vote was flawed.
In a statement issued on Saturday, January 18, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, said the elections were conducted in line with Uganda’s democratic principles and reflected the will of the people.
The AU chief pointed to the role of the Joint African Union–COMESA–IGAD Election Observation Mission, describing it as instrumental in ensuring a smooth electoral process across the country.
“The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, commends the conduct of the elections in Uganda and congratulates H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on his re-election with 71.61 per cent of the votes cast during the presidential elections held on 15 January 2026,” the statement read.
Mr Youssouf also praised Ugandan voters for maintaining peace and stability during the polls, saying the country had demonstrated a commitment to democratic progress despite political tensions.
He further expressed gratitude to former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who led the AU-backed observer mission, lauding what he described as his “sterling leadership” throughout the electoral process.
“The Chairperson expresses sincere appreciation to H.E. Goodluck Jonathan, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for his leadership of the Joint African Union, COMESA and IGAD Election Observation Mission to Uganda,” the statement added.
However, the AU’s endorsement quickly sparked an online backlash, with critics questioning how the continental body reached such conclusions amid allegations of irregularities raised by opposition groups.
Several social media users accused the African Union of ignoring concerns from opposition supporters and civil society organisations, with some claiming the statement legitimised what they described as an unfair electoral process.
“Africa continues to be the way it is because the AU is doing the bidding of tyrants and dictators,” one critic wrote.
Another comment read: “The election results do not represent us as Ugandans. We reject Museveni and all his enablers.”
The controversy comes after Uganda’s Electoral Commission officially declared President Yoweri Museveni the winner of the presidential race on Saturday, January 17, extending his decades-long rule.
According to the commission, Museveni secured 71.65 per cent of the total votes cast—equivalent to 7,946,772 votes—comfortably defeating his closest challenger.
Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, finished second with 24.72 per cent, translating to 2,741,238 votes, after contesting the election on the ticket of the National Unity Platform (NUP).
Mr Kyagulanyi rejected the results shortly after their announcement, branding the exercise “a massive fraud” and accusing authorities of manipulating the process to favour the incumbent.
The AU’s stance now places it at the centre of a growing debate over election credibility in Uganda, with critics warning that the union’s endorsement risks undermining opposition grievances and public confidence in democratic institutions across the region.
Also Read: Salasya in Rare Defence of Gachagua as He Tells ODM to Drop ‘Boring’ Attacks
African Union Sparks Outrage After Backing Museveni Election Victory in Uganda