Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) has, this time, almost shared the number of Kampala City Hall councillor positions with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), following the 2026 local government elections. According to results declared by the District Electoral Commission, outcomes from the five …
Read More »A political obituary of Bobi Wine
THE LAST WORD | ANDREW M. MWENDA | At the beginning of January, I drove from Kabale to Rukungiri, Bushenyi, Kaseese, Fort Portal, Kyenjojo, Mubende, Mityana and Kampala. Then in the last week of the election, I was joined by Prof. Melina Platas of New York University and Prof. Jude …
Read More »Winners and losers in Local Government polls
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The just-concluded district local government elections have delivered a mixed verdict for incumbents, returning political veterans, and first-time challengers, with voters in several districts opting for change while others reaffirmed familiar leadership. Across the country, the polls were marked by landslide victories, tightly contested …
Read More »Defecting MPs punished, but for what?
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Only four of the 16 incumbent Members of Parliament who changed political party allegiance ahead of the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections held last week have managed to retain their seats in parliament. Former Leader of the Opposition Betty Aol Ochan and Asinansi Nyakato who …
Read More »Magistrate cautions voters against crowding courts as election petitions begin
Masaka, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Masaka Chief Magistrate Albert Asiimwe, has cautioned voters in constituencies whose election results are challenged against abandoning their work to overcrowd courts where disputes are being heard. His remarks come after several contestants in the recently concluded general polls filed applications seeking to …
Read More »Local Government Elections: Arrests, allegations, and low voter turnout
Mukono, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The local government elections have concluded amid a mix of tension, allegations of malpractice, and low voter turnout in several districts. Across the country, polling stations experienced disputes ranging from voter bribery and denied voting rights to claims of ballot stuffing, prompting heightened security …
Read More »Widespread low voter turnout characterizes LCV elections
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Even before the Electoral Commission releases figures on participation in the 2026 general elections, it is noticeable that the LCV elections this year are going to register the lowest voter turnout since 1996. According to our reporters who covered this election across the country, …
Read More »Understanding Museveni’s 2026 Win
COMMENT | NNANDA KIZITO SSERUWAGI | President Yoweri Museveni won his seventh term of office on 17th January 2026, polling 71.65% of the valid votes cast, amounting to 7,946,772 votes. The leading opposition candidate, Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert (Bobi Wine) came in a distant second runner with 24.72%, totaling 2,741,238 votes. …
Read More »Voting delays across the country as voters stay away
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Unlike in last week’s presidential and parliamentary elections, where delays were caused by the late arrival of voting materials and malfunctioning Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVKs), today the delays are being caused by voters themselves. Across the country, voting materials arrived at polling stations …
Read More »Five more years, again
Museveni bounces back with a decisive 71% victory, his highest since 1996, amid NUP’s protest vote COVER STORY | IAN KATUSIIME | In his seventh election and at the ripe old age of 81 years, President Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Kaguta Museveni appears to have set a new record in his 40-year …
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The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price