RWAKITURA, Uganda — President Yoweri Museveni declared Sunday that the opposition only survived the Jan. 15 election because millions of ruling party supporters failed to show up, warning that his rivals are lucky they have not yet faced the full strength of the National Resistance Movement.
Speaking from his Rwakitura residence a day after being declared the winner, Museveni claimed that nearly 10 million NRM members did not participate in the vote. While the party boasts more than 21 million members, including at least 18 million eligible voters, Museveni suggested that a lack of mobilization prevented a total wipeout of any meaningful political challenge.
The president secured a seventh five-year term with 7.9 million votes, representing 71.65 percent of the ballots cast. His closest rival, Robert Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine, garnered 2.7 million votes, or 24.72 percent.
Museveni argued that the opposition benefited from low participation among his base and stated the ruling party would investigate why so many members stayed home. He suggested that even the 275,353 invalid ballots likely belonged to NRM supporters who were not properly guided.
The veteran leader, who has held power since 1986, linked his victory to the NRM’s historical focus on peace and security. He noted that voters in northern and eastern Uganda remained loyal to the party to avoid a return to war, comparing the current climate to his 1996 victory.
During his speech, Museveni revealed that some opposition members secretly met with him days before the election, expressing fear that Uganda could face a fate similar to Libya. He credited this shared desire for stability, rather than just the work of security forces, for the lack of widespread post-election unrest.
Kyagulanyi, who has rejected the election results, remained in an unknown location Sunday after reportedly evacuating his residence amid a heavy security presence. The election was marred by a nationwide internet blackout and widespread failures of biometric voter verification kits.
The opposition leader previously dismissed Museveni’s rhetoric, claiming the 79-year-old president is being fed fake intelligence by his handlers.
Museveni is expected to be sworn in this May, marking four decades in power.
