By Spy Uganda
Supporters of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni have welcomed his resounding victory in the just-concluded general election as a strong endorsement of his four decades at the helm of Uganda’s leadership.
According to official results, President Museveni secured about 72 percent of the vote, one of his strongest performances to date and close to his historic 74 percent win in Uganda’s first direct presidential election in 1996. The outcome reinforces the 81-year-old leader’s long-held assertion that he continues to command broad national support, nearly 40 years after leading the country out of turmoil in 1986.
Throughout the campaign, Museveni anchored his message on his record of political stability, economic resilience and national security, presenting himself as a steady hand in an era marked by global uncertainty. His supporters argue that Uganda’s relative peace and steady growth over the years validate his leadership approach.
Central to his renewed mandate is an ambitious economic vision. Museveni has pledged to steer Uganda toward middle-income status by 2030, a milestone his allies describe as a fitting legacy for a leader nearing the end of his long political journey. A key pillar of this plan is Uganda’s emerging oil and gas sector, which the President says will drive rapid economic expansion once exports begin.
The government has set October as the target date for the first crude oil exports through the 1,443-kilometre East African Crude Oil Pipeline linking Uganda to Tanzania’s Indian Ocean port of Tanga. Museveni has repeatedly told voters that oil production could unlock double-digit economic growth, boosting revenues, jobs and infrastructure development.
Despite his age, Museveni projected energy and control on the campaign trail, frequently highlighting his nationwide reach and connection with voters across all regions. Supporters say his ability to mobilise and maintain a strong grassroots base underscores his enduring political relevance.
While his main challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi, disputed the results and raised concerns about the electoral process, Museveni’s backers maintain that the outcome reflects the electorate’s preference for experience and continuity over experimentation. Kyagulanyi’s share of the vote dropped significantly compared to the previous election, a development NRM supporters interpret as waning opposition momentum.
Beyond the immediate election outcome, the vote has also drawn attention to the evolution within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). Recent internal party processes and leadership changes point to gradual renewal and preparation for the future, even as Museveni remains firmly in charge.
Observers note that the President has increasingly delegated responsibilities within government and party structures, a move supporters view as institutional strengthening rather than retreat. The growing prominence of younger leaders within the NRM is seen by allies as part of a broader effort to ensure continuity and stability beyond Museveni’s tenure.
For Museveni’s supporters, the election was less about transition and more about affirmation. They argue that Ugandans once again chose stability, experience and a clear economic roadmap, entrusting Museveni with guiding the country through the next phase of development as Uganda positions itself for an oil-driven economic transformation.
