MWE Correspondent
A rare and striking political development has unfolded in Uganda after opposition figure Mufumbiro secured a decisive victory in a parliamentary race while still in detention.
According to reports carried by several Ugandan media outlets, the final tally shows that Mufumbiro defeated all other candidates who contested the seat, an outcome that has quickly captured national attention and sparked renewed debate about politics, justice, and democratic choice in the country.
Mufumbiro is a spokesperson for the National Unity Platform, Uganda’s main opposition party, and is widely regarded as one of its most visible and outspoken politicians. His win is particularly significant because it was announced at a time when he was still being held in custody, an unusual circumstance that has amplified public and political interest in the outcome of the vote.
Preliminary figures cited by party officials and his political allies indicate that Mufumbiro received about 78 percent of the total votes cast, placing him far ahead of his closest competitors. While the official confirmation process by the Electoral Commission of Uganda is still ongoing, the size of the reported margin has already left little doubt about the direction of the race.
The election took place in a tense political environment, with opposition groups frequently accusing authorities of using arrests and legal cases to weaken challengers ahead of elections. Mufumbiro’s detention during the campaign period had drawn criticism from his supporters, who argued that the move was intended to disrupt his campaign and intimidate voters.
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Government officials, for their part, have consistently denied allegations of political interference, insisting that all arrests and prosecutions follow the rule of law.
Rather than diminishing his support, analysts say the detention may have strengthened Mufumbiro’s appeal among voters. Many see the result as a protest vote, reflecting frustration with the broader political climate and sympathy for opposition figures perceived to be under pressure. For some voters, casting their ballots in his favor was a way of asserting their right to choose leaders freely, regardless of ongoing legal disputes.
Within opposition circles, the victory has been welcomed as a powerful statement of popular support. Party leaders described the outcome as proof that grassroots backing remains strong and that attempts to sideline opposition voices do not always translate into electoral defeat. Supporters have also pointed out that winning an election while in custody is a rare occurrence, one that highlights the symbolic weight of the result.
The development comes against the backdrop of Uganda’s long-standing political landscape under President Yoweri Museveni, whose administration has faced repeated criticism from rights groups and international observers over the treatment of opposition politicians. Although the government rejects claims of shrinking political space, cases such as Mufumbiro’s continue to attract close scrutiny.
