A church service at Nakasero State House marks the end of a frenetic election cycle.
The congregation sings ”Guide Me Oh Thou Great Redeemer” as they wait for the arrival of their long-time leader and one of the longest-serving in Africa, President Yoweri Museveni.
A nation-wide internet shutdown has turned Kampala into a muted capital,and the oasis of the State House compound feels even more hushed and isolated above the traffic.
A period of intense political campaigning has been marred by the mass arrests of activists and opposition supporters is now ending in the suspension of nine local human rights organisations and an enforced digital silence.
“We are the ones who built the internet.The shutting down is about dealing with criminals who want to use that infrastructure to destabilise our country,” President Museveni tells me in the manicured gardens of State Lodge behind the Chapel.
“It is temporary,short term – but we are the ones who built it. “
Does building it mean you can shut it down?
“No, it’s like a road closure.”
We travelled to Kampala to speak to the 81-year-old President as Ugandans cast their ballots in what will be his seventh successive election.
He is seeking to add another five years to his four decades in power. In 2005, Uganda’s parliament passed a controversial constitutional amendment to lift the two term limit and the age limit of 75 was lifted in 2018.
“If I am available – not dead, not senile but I am still around – and I have some knowledge. If you are really serious about your country why would you not want to take advantage of me if I am still able?” he asks.
This month marks forty years since President Museveni secured victory in the Bush War as a rebel leader in January 1986 and ascended to power.
he was protesting the allegedly rigged election of former prime Minister Milton Obote when he launched the five year battle for “fundamental change”.
Read more from Sky news:
Is America surrendering Antarctica to its rivals?
Iranian woman who fled Tehran describes killings
Supporters of the president
Does his younger self connect with the need for change that many young people in Uganda are expressing?
“I was actually dying to work with old people because we needed them, unless you are not serious. These problems are big problems and if you are with a big problem, the more hands the better,” says the President.
“I was working with [Julius] Nyerere of Tanzania and with Mandela. They were older people but we needed them. I couldn’t say go away as I needed to be the one in charge.”
A majority of Uganda’s population were not alive to witness the Bush War and affirm
President museveni says his party offers jobs for young people and economic growth for the country. when I asked what the future of Uganda looks like to a man who has seen it all, his answer was rapid: “prosperity”.
Economic growth is at the top of the list of wins that President Museveni says are the gains referred to in his campaign slogan “protecting the gains”: “the economy [the GDP] is almost at $70 billion. When we started it was at $3.9 billion.”
But youth unemployment is still high and masses of young Ugandans are currently calling for change by rallying behind 43 year old musician turned opposition leader Bobi Wine.
Bobi Wine has been aggressively targeted by the security apparatus since 2018.Scores of his supporters were killed and arrested by security forces in the 2021 election cycle – Uganda’s most violent election to date.
This time, Wine’s political party claims that 300 of their supporters and party officials have been arrested by the authorities in the lead-up to the ballot.
Read more:
Uganda’s pop star politician aiming to end president’s 40 years in power
Bobi Wine is popular among you
okay, I will analyze the provided text snippet and follow the three-phase process as instructed.
PHASE 1: ADVERSARIAL RESEARCH,FRESHNESS & BREAKING-NEWS CHECK
The text refers to allegations against Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni regarding election rigging,violent crackdowns,and a monopoly on power,alongside a recent internet shutdown. The image caption also mentions an internet shutdown and opposition supporters’ concerns. The timestamp on the image suggests a recent event (January 15, 2026).
Factual Claims & Verification (as of January 15, 2026, 13:14:21 UTC):
* Yoweri Museveni as President of Uganda: Confirmed. Uganda State House Official Website confirms Yoweri Museveni is the current President of Uganda.
* Allegations of Election Rigging: These allegations have been a recurring theme in Ugandan elections.Human Rights Watch – Uganda details concerns about electoral irregularities and violence in past elections. Recent reports (as of Jan 15, 2026) from Reuters (reporting on the 2021 election, a pattern continues) and Al Jazeera highlight ongoing concerns about the fairness of Ugandan elections.
* Violent Crackdowns: Reports from organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch consistently document instances of violence against opposition supporters and protestors in Uganda. Amnesty International – Uganda provides detailed reports.
* Internet Shutdowns: Uganda has a history of internet shutdowns during and after elections. Access Now – Uganda tracks internet shutdowns in the country. Recent reports (Jan 15, 2026) from Voice of America confirm a shutdown occurred during the 2021 election and similar measures have been threatened in subsequent periods of political tension.
* Monopoly on Power: Yoweri Museveni has been in power as 1986, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. this long tenure has led to accusations of consolidating power.
Breaking News Check:
As of January 15, 2026, 13:14:21 UTC, a search on major news outlets (Reuters, Associated Press, BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, Voice of America) reveals no new breaking developments significantly altering the established facts regarding the situation in Uganda. There are ongoing reports of political tension and concerns about the upcoming elections, but no immediate crisis or major event has occurred in the last few hours. The situation remains consistent with established reporting.
PHASE 2: ENTITY-BASED GEO (GENERATIVE ENGINE OPTIMIZATION)
Uganda’s Political Landscape and Yoweri Museveni’s Leadership
Definition / Direct Answer: Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa, currently led by President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power as 1986, facing ongoing allegations of authoritarianism and electoral irregularities.
Yoweri Museveni and the National Resistance Movement (NRM)
definition / Direct Answer: Yoweri Museveni is the current President of Uganda and the leader of the National Resistance movement (NRM), the dominant political party in the country. National Resistance Movement Official Website. The NRM has been accused of suppressing political opposition and maintaining a grip on power through various means.
Allegations of Election Rigging and Political Repression
Definition / Direct Answer: Numerous reports from international organizations and opposition groups allege consistent election rigging, violence against political opponents, and restrictions on freedoms of assembly and expression in Uganda. Human Rights Watch – Uganda details these concerns, citing instances of intimidation, voter suppression, and manipulation of electoral processes.
Internet Shutdowns and Freedom of Details
Definition / Direct Answer: The Ugandan government has repeatedly implemented internet shutdowns, especially during and after elections, citing concerns about national security.
