Uganda’s Electoral Commission has released the first preliminary results from the 2026 presidential election. The early figures show incumbent President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in the lead. However, officials stress that the data reflects only a small portion of the total vote.
The commission released the update to keep the public informed as counting continues nationwide. Election officials emphasized that these numbers remain provisional and may change as more results arrive.
Early Snapshot of the National Vote
The Electoral Commission of Uganda said the country registered 21,649,067 voters for the election. Authorities set up 50,739 polling stations across Uganda to manage the process.
So far, officials have received results from 133 polling stations. These stations account for just 23,845 votes counted. This represents a very small share of the national total.
Museveni Takes an Early Lead
From the valid votes counted, President Museveni leads with 14,232 votes. This gives him 61.7 percent of the early tally. His lead reflects returns from areas that reported results quickly.
National Unity Platform leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, follows closely. He has secured 7,753 votes, representing 33.64 percent of the counted ballots.
Forum for Democratic Change candidate Nandala Mafabi ranks third so far. He has received 560 votes, which equals 2.43 percent.
Performance of Other Candidates
Several other candidates trail in the early results. These include Mugisha Muntu, Mubarak Munyagwa, Frank Bulira, Robert Kasibante, and Joseph Mabirizi.
Together, these candidates account for less than three percent of the votes counted so far. Analysts caution that this early picture does not reflect final national support levels.
Invalid and Disputed Votes Recorded
The Electoral Commission also reported 796 invalid votes in the initial count. Officials attributed many of these ballots to voter marking errors.
In addition, the commission recorded 37 disputed votes. Election officials will review these ballots before declaring the final results. The law requires strict verification for any disputed vote.
EC Emphasizes Transparency and Patience
EC chairperson Simon Byabakama said the update forms part of the commission’s transparency policy. He explained that officials release results gradually as they verify declaration forms from returning officers.
“This is an early snapshot of voting trends,” the commission stated. It warned against drawing conclusions from partial data.
Analysts Urge Caution
Political analysts have urged the public to remain cautious. They note that early results often come from areas with faster reporting systems. These areas may not represent national voting patterns.
Uganda’s regions vote differently. Therefore, later results could shift percentages significantly. Analysts say the race remains open until the commission tallies all polling stations.
Election Process Continues Nationwide
The vote counting continues amid reports of minor logistical challenges. Some areas experienced delays and technical issues with biometric verification machines. The commission insists these issues did not affect the integrity of the vote.
Officials say teams resolved most problems quickly. They also reaffirmed their commitment to a free and fair electoral process.
Call for Calm and Responsible Conduct
The Electoral Commission has urged candidates and supporters to stay calm. It warned against spreading unofficial results on social media. The commission emphasized that only its official updates carry legal authority.
Security agencies have also appealed for restraint. They encouraged citizens to respect the ongoing tallying process.
Next Results Update Announced
The commission confirmed that it will release the next official update at 9:00 AM on January 16, 2026. Officials expect more polling station results by then.
As Uganda waits for further announcements, the early figures highlight the scale of the national election. They also show why patience remains critical during the counting phase.
The final outcome will only emerge once the commission verifies and tallies results from all 50,739 polling stations across the country.
