Millions of Ugandans will Thursday cast their votes in a crucial presidential rematch between a former pop star and their long-time authoritarian leader, who aims to prolong his nearly 40-year rule.

Uganda votes amid an internet blackout and heavy military deployment as President Yoweri Museveni seeks a seventh term, extending his four-decade grip on power

Preliminary results from Uganda’s 2026 presidential election, released shortly before 11pm Thursday, show incumbent President Museveni of the NRM leading with 14,232 votes (61.7%). Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine) of the NUP follows with 7,753 votes (33.64%).

Ugandans are voting in a tense presidential election as 81-year-old President Yoweri Museveni seeks to extend his four-decade rule amid an internet shutdown and heavy military deployment.

Past elections have ended with Museveni taking more than 90% of the vote and ballots sometimes outnumber registered voters.

Polling stations in several parts of Uganda were still not open in many areas almost two hours after voting was due to start, AFP journalists and local sources said.