MWE Correspondent
Uganda woke up to renewed tension on Friday after at least seven people were killed in overnight violence in the central part of the country, just hours after national elections that appear to have secured President Yoweri Museveni another term in office.
Police confirmed the deaths following clashes that erupted in Butambala district, about 55 kilometres southwest of the capital, Kampala. The unrest came shortly after preliminary results from the electoral commission showed Museveni with more than 75 percent of the vote, based on results from 59 percent of polling stations. His closest challenger, opposition leader and musician Bobi Wine, was trailing with about 21 percent, while other candidates shared the remaining votes.
Thursday’s voting itself had passed relatively calmly, despite weeks of political tension and a campaign period that rights groups described as highly restrictive. Opposition rallies were repeatedly disrupted, activists were detained, and international observers, including the United Nations, raised concerns about intimidation and pressure on voters. Many Ugandans nonetheless turned out to vote peacefully, hoping the day would mark a turning point.
That sense of calm did not last long.
According to police, violence broke out late at night when groups allegedly armed with machetes attacked a police station and a vote-tallying centre in Butambala. Security forces responded with live ammunition, saying they acted in self-defence. Police also reported that at least 25 people were arrested during the operation.
Local leaders from the area offered a different account, saying the violence followed confrontations between residents and security personnel and escalated rapidly in the darkness. Residents described scenes of fear and confusion, with gunshots ringing out and families staying indoors as security forces flooded the area. By morning, the town was under tight control, but tension remained high.
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The incident has cast a shadow over the election outcome and renewed debate about Uganda’s political future. Museveni, who has ruled since 1986, is on course to extend his leadership into a fifth decade. Supporters argue that his long rule has brought relative stability, while critics say it has weakened institutions and narrowed democratic space. The situation highlights ongoing challenges around democracy and political competition in the country.
Uganda has a history of post-election unrest, and analysts say frustration among opposition supporters often peaks as results are announced. Questions about transparency, the role of security forces, and the ability of courts to handle electoral disputes remain central to public debate. These issues are closely tied to the credibility of the election process itself.
International attention is now focused on how authorities manage the aftermath. Diplomats and observers have urged restraint and called on all sides to resolve disputes through legal channels rather than violence. For many Ugandans, the overnight deaths are a painful reminder of the human cost of political confrontation and the fragility of political stability during contested elections.
As the country awaits final results, the priority for security agencies and political leaders alike will be preventing further bloodshed and reassuring citizens that calm can be maintained. Whether that happens may shape not only the immediate post-election period, but also Uganda’s longer-term political trajectory.
