IGAD congratulates Yoweri Museveni on his re-election as Uganda’s president
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has congratulated H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on his re-election as President of the Republic of Uganda, following the presidential elections held on 15 January 2026.
In a statement on Saturday, January 17, 2026, IGAD Executive Secretary Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu commended the people of Uganda for their active civic participation and reaffirmed IGAD’s support for initiatives aimed at strengthening democratic governance, peace, stability, and inclusive development in the country.
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“IGAD Executive Secretary, Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, congratulates Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on his re-election as President of the Republic of Uganda, following the presidential elections held on 15 January 2026,” read the statement in part.
Further, Gebeyehu acknowledged the roles of the African Union, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the IGAD Election Observation Mission to Uganda, led by H.E. Goodluck Jonathan, former President of Nigeria, in monitoring the electoral process.
Additionally, he reiterated IGAD’s commitment to working closely with the government and people of Uganda to advance regional cooperation, peace, and shared prosperity across East Africa.
The elections
This comes shortly after Museveni was declared the winner of the Thursday, January 15, 2026, election, extending his four decades in power by another five years.
He gained 72% of the vote, the election commission announced, against 25% for his closest challenger, Bobi Wine, who has condemned what he described as “fake results”.
Wine has called on Ugandans to hold non-violent protests.
Museveni, 81, first came to power as a rebel leader in 1986 but, since then, has won seven elections.
The election process was marred by violence, and Wine, a 43-year-old former pop star, says that at least 21 people have been killed.
The authorities have so far confirmed seven deaths.
Access to the internet has been cut in the country since Tuesday, January 13, 2026, making it hard to verify information.
The authorities say the blackout was necessary to prevent misinformation, fraud, and the incitement of violence – a move condemned by the UN human rights office as “deeply worrying”.
Wine has demanded that the internet be restored.
