U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Cory Booker, a member of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, have called for accountability following the conclusion of Uganda’s presidential elections.
Uganda held its presidential election on January 15, 2026, and on January 17, Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama declared incumbent President Yoweri Museveni the winner, defeating seven other candidates.
Museveni faced opposition from Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine of the National Unity Platform (NUP); Elton Joseph Mabirizi of the Conservative Party (CP); Robert Kasibante of the National Peasants Party (NPP); Nathan Nandala Mafabi of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC); Mugisha Gregg Muntu of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT); Munyagwa Mubarak Sserunga of the Common Man’s Party (CMP); and Frank Bulira Kabinga of the Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP).
According to official results, Museveni garnered 7,946,772 votes, while Kyagulanyi came second with 2,741,238 votes. Nandala Mafabi received 209,039 votes, Mugisha Muntu polled 59,276 votes, Frank Bulira Kabinga garnered 45,959 votes, Robert Kasibante received 33,444 votes, Elton Joseph Mabirizi 32,458 votes, and Munyagwa Mubarak Sserunga secured 31,666 votes.
In a joint statement, the senators criticized the electoral process, describing it as deeply flawed.
“Uganda’s January 15 election was another blow to the pursuit of democracy in the country. Unfortunately, these elections mirrored previous electoral contests in Uganda where the playing field was skewed and the results appeared decided well before the actual vote,” they said.
The senators cited reports of attacks on journalists, the arrest and detention of opposition figures, the teargassing of peaceful assemblies, alleged abductions of opposition supporters, and violence by security forces in the lead-up to the elections.
They also condemned the nationwide internet shutdown imposed shortly before polling day, saying it undermined Ugandans’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression.
The lawmakers further expressed concern over continued threats by Uganda’s Minister of Defence, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, against opposition figures, including Bobi Wine. They called for the immediate release of opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye and human rights activist Dr. Sarah Bireete, as well as the restoration of operating permits for civil society organizations.
Shaheen and Booker urged Ugandan authorities to uphold democratic principles, transparency, human rights, and the dignity of citizens. They also called on the U.S. administration to take action.
“The Trump Administration and the U.S. State Department must use all tools available, including a review of U.S. security assistance, to hold individuals in Uganda accountable for undermining democratic principles and endangering the lives of citizens seeking to freely participate in the election,” the statement said.
