Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine has dismissed preliminary election results announced by the Electoral Commission (EC), saying the figures lack credibility and cannot determine the outcome of the 2026 presidential election.
Wine, the leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), accused EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama of releasing results without a clear or verifiable source as vote tallying continues across the country.
Bobi Wine Questions Source of Results
In a statement shared on social media platform X, Wine claimed the EC chairperson had no authority to announce figures that were not backed by officially accredited polling and tallying processes.
“Ignore the ‘fake’ results being announced by Simon Byabakama. He can’t tell anybody where those results are coming from,” Wine wrote.
He added that opposition agents stationed at tally centres had demanded clarity on the source of the figures, but received no answers.
“Our agents at the tally centre are asking him for the source of these results, and the regime enabler can’t say a thing,” he said.
Wine stressed that only results verified through lawful and transparent procedures could determine the final outcome of the election.
‘Ugandans Will Decide the Outcome’
The opposition leader emphasised that the people of Uganda, not early announcements, would ultimately decide who leads the country.
According to Wine, officially certified results from accredited polling stations and tallying centres are the only legitimate basis for declaring a winner in the 2026 presidential race.
Allegations of House Arrest
Meanwhile, Wine also alleged that security forces were deployed around his residence shortly after he cast his vote, restricting his movements.
“Yesterday, after casting my ballot, the military deployed all around my home in order to place me under house arrest. They even jumped over the fence and entered our compound,” he stated.
He described the situation as a “siege,” suggesting the heavy security presence was driven by fears over potential public reaction to the ongoing vote count.
Preliminary Results Released by EC
As of 2:00 PM, the Electoral Commission reported that results from 30,138 polling stations had been tallied, with 6,830,089 valid votes counted.
According to the figures released:
- President Yoweri Museveni is leading with 5,148,845 votes (75.38%)
- Bobi Wine follows with 1,414,619 votes (20.71%)
Other candidates trail with single-digit percentages:
- Frank Bulira – 29,713 votes (0.44%)
- Robert Kasibante – 20,626 votes (0.30%)
- Joseph Mabirizi – 14,106 votes (0.21%)
- Mugisha Muntu – 38,582 votes (0.56%)
- Mubarak Munyagwa – 19,034 votes (0.28%)
- Nandala Mafabi – 144,564 votes (2.12%)
The EC also reported 170,655 invalid votes and 22,356 spoiled ballots, bringing the total number of votes counted so far to 7,000,744.
Next Results Update Expected
The Electoral Commission has indicated that the next official update will be issued at 6:00 PM on January 16, 2026, as tallying continues in remaining polling stations.
As tensions remain high, both supporters and observers are closely watching the process amid calls for transparency, accountability, and respect for democratic procedures.