This month the president was reelected for his seventh term, devastating the hopes of many who fear a future of stagnation and unemployment
W
hen Uganda’s electoral commission declared President Yoweri Museveni the winner of the 2026 general election this month, there was little surprise among the country’s younger voters. Those aged under 35 make up more than three-quarters (78%) of Uganda’s population – the second youngest population in the world – and for many, the news of Museveni’s victory confirmed what they had expected. For some, it also crushed the fragile hope inspired by the rise of the opposition leader, Robert Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine.
Sarah Namubiru, 21, a university student hoping to be a teacher, says she did not vote for Museveni because of the low salaries in the teaching profession.
“The results were not a reflection of what we want and I am disappointed because it seems my vote was not respected. I am wondering where I will get a job with thousands of teachers superior than me being idle. I do not know anyone in the government and we all know you need to know someone to get a job. For me, that’s why I need change.”
