ADDIS ABABA, — The African Union (AU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African bloc, congratulated Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on his re-election.
On Saturday, Uganda’s Electoral Commission announced that the country’s incumbent President Museveni won the presidential election, securing a seventh five-year term in office after garnering more than 7.9 million votes out of about 11.3 million valid ballots cast.
In a statement issued late Saturday, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf congratulated Museveni on his re-election, commending the conduct of the elections.
Youssouf applauded the people of Uganda for their commitment to consolidating democratic gains, peace, security and development. He also commended former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan for his “sterling leadership” of the joint AU, IGAD and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa election observation mission to Uganda.
In a separate statement issued Saturday, the IGAD also congratulated Museveni on his re-election.
IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu reaffirmed IGAD’s support for efforts aimed at strengthening democratic governance, peace, stability and inclusive development in Uganda.
Museveni’s closest challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi, a pop-star-turned-politician, also known as Bobi Wine, received over 2.7 million votes, while the remaining votes were shared among six other presidential candidates, according to the Electoral Commission.
