Uganda: Museveni wins again as MP Moses Ali proves age is just a number

KAMPALA, Uganda

Uganda’s politics never fails to grab attention, and the 2026 general elections were no exception.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 81, has been declared winner of a seventh term, taking about 71.65 percent of the vote and leaving opposition leader Bobi Wine trailing with 24.7 percent.

The results, announced by the Electoral Commission, extend Museveni’s decades-long rule that began in 1986, prompting both awe and satire across the region.

Despite claims of irregularities by the opposition, the president’s victory was decisive, reinforcing his hold over the country’s political machinery.

But the story doesn’t end at the presidency.

In Adjumani West, 86-year-old General Moses Ali retained his parliamentary seat on the ruling NRM ticket, defeating his rivals with 12,854 votes.

Known for a career spanning decades in both Uganda’s military and political spheres, Ali’s re-election has fascinated Kenyans and Africans alike--not just because of his longevity, but also due to a viral video showing him asleep and seemingly unaware of his surroundings during a public function.

The clip sparked online debate over his age and ability to serve, yet his supporters insist his experience and grassroots influence remain unmatched.

The reactions from Kenya have been humorous.

Social media users have jokingly dubbed Ugandans a “rare breed”, marveling at how a country can simultaneously keep leaders in power for decades, witness high-octane elections, and still find room for personalities who literally nap in public events yet return to parliament with a mandate.

It’s a mix of political endurance, loyalty, and spectacle that has kept Uganda’s political theatre firmly in the headlines.

While some may question whether age or stamina should define leadership, Ugandans continue to show a surprising tolerance--or perhaps fascination--for continuity.

From Museveni’s enduring presidency to Moses Ali’s viral sleep episode, the 2026 polls highlight a nation where political experience, personal influence, and spectacle often outweigh conventional expectations of energy or novelty.