The Electoral Commission (EC) chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, has called on candidates who lost in the 2026 presidential and parliamentary elections to accept defeat, saying every contest must produce winners and losers.

Speaking on Saturday while announcing the presidential results at the EC tally centre in Lweza, Byabakama urged Ugandans not to plunge the country into chaos over electoral outcomes.

“I wish to appeal to all Ugandans of whatever class or level in society that let us now focus on that which is far greater than elections, and that is our country Uganda,” he said.

He encouraged unity and restraint, urging winners not to mock their rivals and losers to remain hopeful. “Let us all be united in the quest and desire for a better Uganda that we can all live in unity, harmony and peace. Let the victors not be so exuberant in their celebrations to the chagrin of the losers, and let the losers take their defeat with acceptance and know there is another day for another attempt,” Byabakama added.

The EC declared incumbent President Yoweri Museveni the winner of the polls with 71.6 percent, securing a seventh consecutive term. 

The 81-year-old leader, who has been in power since 1986, garnered 7,944,772 votes, representing 71.65 percent of the valid votes cast.

His closest challenger, National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, obtained 2,741,238 votes, representing 24.72 percent. However, Bobi Wine rejected the results, accusing the EC and security agencies of massive rigging in favour of Museveni. 

The NUP treasurer, who was present at the national tally centre, walked out and declined to receive a copy of the results.

“What we have witnessed here is a confirmation that there is a scheme by the Electoral Commission to subvert the will of the people of Uganda,” he said. “Elections are supposed to be a process through which citizens express themselves on who should govern them.”

He claimed that the figures announced did not tally with information from their polling agents. 

“When the Electoral Commission started announcing totals, we asked them to display the source of that information. Later, they brought what they called a breakdown, which allowed us to compare it with what we had from our agents. Given that the internet is off and many of our agents are in hiding because security is pursuing them to confiscate declaration forms, we have noticed discrepancies from all over the country,” he said.

Bobi Wine echoed similar sentiments in a video message released from hiding, insisting that the results did not reflect the will of the voters.

In response, Byabakama urged aggrieved candidates to seek redress through legal channels.

“I urge candidates and their supporters to put Uganda first in all their decision-making and actions before, during and after the elections,” he said.

“Where stakeholders are dissatisfied with any process or outcome, there are adequate laws in this country that provide avenues for addressing such grievances.”

He also appealed for calm ahead of the forthcoming Local Council elections.

According to the EC’s national voters’ register, Uganda has 21,649,067 registered voters out of a population of about 46 million.

Six other candidates contested in the presidential race. These include:

James Nandala Mafabi (FDC) – 209,039 votes

Maj Gen (Rtd) Mugisha Muntu (ANT) – 59,276 votes

Frank Kabinga (RPP) – 45,959 votes

Robert Kasibante (NPP) – 33,440 votes

Mubarak Munyagwa (CMP) – 31,666 votes

Joseph Mabirizi (CP) – 23,458 votes

By ChimpReports