Less than 24 hours after the Electoral Commission announced the 2026 presidential winner, questions about the credibility of the poll dominated national discourse. The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has rejected the results, raising concerns over irregularities and urging reforms to restore public confidence in Uganda’s electoral process. Our reporter has the details.

In the wake of the announcement, opposition voices argued that the election fell short of free and fair standards. Speaking in an interview, Ojobile Augustine, the Secretary of the Electoral Commission for the FDC and a representative for presidential candidate Nathan Nandala Mafabi, questioned the transparency of the vote tally and the announcement process. He cited what he described as findings from independent research conducted by the FDC Electoral Commission team that cast doubt on the authenticity of the declared results.

Ojobile highlighted several factors he believes compromised electoral integrity, including incidents of violence and an attack on Mafabi during the campaign. He stressed that addressing these issues is essential to prevent a recurrence in future elections.

When asked about concrete reforms, Ojobile argued that true independence for the Electoral Commission could only be guaranteed through a regime change free from political influence. His remarks align with a broader opposition call for structural reforms to Uganda’s electoral institutions.

As the country continues to debate the legitimacy of the 2026 vote, all eyes are turning to potential reforms and how they might reshape Uganda’s democratic landscape in the years ahead.