U.S. Embassy Issues Warning in Uganda Following Elections
The United States has issued a security alert to its people in Uganda following increased tensions following the country’s presidential elections on Thursday, January 15, with official results still awaited.
The United States Embassy in Uganda issued an alert to American citizens on Friday, January 16, following allegations that security forces had used tear gas and fired shots into the air to disperse crowds in the country.
The embassy stated that the security situation remains unstable and recommended that US residents take extreme caution while the vote tallying proceeds nationally.
According to the advisory, Americans in Uganda are recommended to avoid big public gatherings, demonstrations, and needless movements as political tensions remain high following the elections.
The embassy also advised US residents to constantly follow local media for updates, keep a low profile, be mindful of their surroundings, and make sure their mobile phones are well charged with emergency numbers loaded.
Americans were also encouraged to carry adequate identification at all times, such as a valid US passport with a current Ugandan visa, in case of security checks.
Security Alert for American citizens: Uganda held presidential elections on Thursday, January 15, 2026. Official results are pending. There are reports of security forces using teargas and firing into the air disperse gatherings. U.S. citizens are encouraged to exercise enhanced… pic.twitter.com/xyFYuNA9yS
— U.S. Embassy Uganda (@USEmbassyUganda) January 16, 2026
The security alert comes as provisional presidential election results show incumbent President Yoweri Museveni in an early and obvious lead as the Electoral Commission continues to tally votes.
However, opposition candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, has disputed the results declared by the Electoral Commission chairman.
Wine accused him of neglecting to explain the source and authenticity of the data presented thus far.
ALSO READ:
- “Don’t Attack Public Infrastructure!” – IG Kanja Asks Kenyans, Issues Orders To Police
- “NO MORE NIL TAX RETURNS!” – KRA Tells Kenyans, Introduces New Changes
- Eliud Owalo Blasts Ruto Gov’t, Demands EACC & DCI Investigations Into Fake Sugar Scandal
- President’s Office Releases 2026 National Holidays Calendar, Names Host Counties
- Kenya Goes After British Oil Giant Over Hundreds Of Deaths In The North
Kyagulanyi has insisted that Ugandans will ultimately determine the outcome of the election, raising concerns over possible post-election disputes.
According to the third set of preliminary results, a total of 6,830,089 valid votes have been counted from 30,138 polling stations, representing 59.4 per cent of all polling stations nationwide as of the time of publishing.
President Museveni is leading with 5,148,845 votes, accounting for 75.38 per cent of the votes cast, marking a slight drop compared to the second preliminary results released earlier in the day.
Kyagulanyi is in second place with 1,414,619 votes, representing 20.71 per cent of the total votes counted so far.
U.S. Embassy Issues Warning in Uganda Following Elections
