African leaders congratulate Uganda's Museveni as he extends four-decade rule

African leaders have moved swiftly to congratulate Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni after he was declared the winner of the country’s presidential election, securing a seventh term in office and extending his rule to nearly 40 years.

Uganda’s Electoral Commission said Museveni, 81, won 71.65% of the vote in Thursday’s election, defeating his closest challenger, opposition leader Bobi Wine, who secured 24.72%.

Museveni’s victory cements his position as one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, having first come to power in 1986.

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame was among the first to publicly congratulate Museveni, praising continued bilateral cooperation.

“Congratulations, President @KagutaMuseveni on your re-election as President of the Republic of Uganda,” Kagame said. “I extend my best wishes to you and the people of Uganda as you continue to serve your nation for the prosperity of your people. I look forward to the continued strong and productive cooperation between our two countries.”

‘Public confidence’

Kenya’s President William Ruto described Museveni’s win as a reflection of public confidence in his leadership.

“Your decisive victory at the just concluded competitive General Election reflects the trust that the people of the Republic of Uganda have in your personal leadership and the confidence enjoyed by the NRM party,” Ruto said.

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud also hailed Museveni’s record, linking it to regional stability.

“Under his leadership, Uganda made notable progress in development and regional stability,” he said, adding that Somalia “reaffirms its commitment to strengthening brotherly ties with Uganda.”

The African Union Commission joined the chorus of congratulations, with its Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, commending the conduct of the vote.

‘Bilateral relations’

“The Chairperson of the African Union Commission commends the conduct of the elections in Uganda and congratulates H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on his re-election with 71.61% of the votes cast,” the AU said in a statement following the January 15 poll.

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir described Museveni’s victory as “landslide” and expressed eagerness to deepen bilateral relations.

“The people of the Republic of Uganda have once again honoured you with leadership by electing you for the seventh term,” Kiir said. “I am looking forward to closely working with you to advance bilateral relations.”

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi echoed similar sentiments.

“I express my congratulations to my brother and friend, His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, on the occasion of his re-election,” el-Sisi said, describing the outcome as reflecting “the confidence of the Ugandan people in his wise leadership.”

Museveni himself struck a strong tone after being declared the winner, saying the result demonstrated the depth of his party’s support despite a voter turnout of 52%, the lowest since Uganda returned to multiparty politics in 2006.

“The result gives a good taste of the strength of our party. The opposition are lucky. They have not seen our full strength,” Museveni said.

However, the election was overshadowed by controversy. Authorities imposed a days-long internet shutdown, while failures of biometric voter identification machines delayed voting in several areas, including the capital, Kampala.

Bobi Wine, 43, a former singer-turned-politician, said he went into hiding after security forces raided his home shortly after the vote. He has accused the government of ballot stuffing, particularly in regions considered strongholds of the ruling party — allegations the government has firmly denied.