The United States has issued a new nationwide security alert for its citizens in Uganda following the country’s presidential elections, as early vote counts showed President Yoweri Museveni holding a commanding lead amid reports of violence and heightened security activity.
In a security alert dated January 16, 2026, the U.S. Embassy in Uganda notified citizens that the elections were held on Thursday, January 15, and noted that official results were still pending.
“There are reports of security forces using teargas and firing into the air disperse gatherings,” the U.S. Mission said, urging American citizens in Uganda to “exercise enhanced caution, avoid large public gatherings, and limit unnecessary movements.”
U.S. Embassy in Uganda advises caution countrywide
According to the US Embassy, the alert applies to its citizens across Uganda and reflects growing concerns over post-election security conditions.
“U.S. citizens are encouraged to monitor local media for updates, avoid crowds and demonstrations, keep a low profile, and be aware of their surroundings.”
The embassy also advised Americans to carry proper identification, including a valid US passport and a Ugandan visa, to keep their mobile phones charged, and to program emergency contacts into their devices.
The security alert comes as Uganda’s Electoral Commission earlier on Friday reported that President Museveni was leading the presidential race by a wide margin as vote counting continued.
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Based on tallies from nearly half of polling stations, the commission said Museveni had secured 76.25 percent of the vote, while his main challenger, opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, had garnered 19.85 percent. The remaining votes were split among six other candidates.
Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, told reporters after voting that he expected to win with 80 percent of the vote “if there’s no cheating,” a result that would grant him a seventh term in office.
Bobi Wine reportedly under heavy security
Bobi Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) party reported that the opposition leader is under house arrest in Kampala as security forces surrounded his residence.
“The military and police have surrounded Wine’s house in the capital, effectively placing him under house arrest,” the NUP said in a post on X.
However, police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke told Reuters he was unaware of Wine’s alleged house arrest, saying the deployment was linked to security considerations.
Rusoke later told local broadcaster NBS that as a presidential candidate, Wine was “a person of interest,” adding that the heavy security presence was for his own protection.
Violence was reported overnight in Butambala town, about 55 kilometres southwest of Kampala, as supporters gathered to follow early election results.
Opposition MP Muwanga Kivumbi told AFP that soldiers and police fired tear gas and live bullets at people gathered at his home.
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Human rights activist Agather Atuhaire confirmed the account to Reuters, saying security forces had killed opposition supporters during the incident.
However, local police spokesperson Lydia Tumushabe disputed the opposition’s version of events, telling Reuters that police fired in self-defence after what she described as an attack on a police station.
She said a group of opposition supporters, whom she referred to as “NUP goons,” were armed with machetes, axes, and boxes of matches, and that at least seven people were killed during the confrontation.
International concern over the election environment
The United Nations Human Rights Office said ahead of the vote that Uganda’s election was taking place in an environment of “widespread repression and intimidation.”
During the campaign period, Bobi Wine’s rallies were repeatedly disrupted by security forces using tear gas and live ammunition, incidents that resulted in at least one death and hundreds of arrests. Ugandan authorities said the actions were responses to lawless behaviour.
The election was also affected by logistical challenges, with some polling stations opening up to four hours late due to what officials described as technical difficulties.
An internet shutdown imposed earlier in the week limited the flow of information, delaying reports of violence and drawing criticism from international institutions.
Museveni currently holds the third-longest tenure of any African leader, while Bobi Wine had urged supporters to protest during voting, although no major demonstrations were reported during polling hours.
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