NAIROBI, Kenya—Jan 18, 2026—President William Ruto has congratulated Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni following his re-election, hailing the outcome as a reflection of the trust Ugandans have placed in his leadership and describing the electoral process as “peaceful and democratic”.
In a formal letter dated January 18, 2026, President Ruto said he conveyed the message on behalf of the Government and people of Kenya and on his own behalf, following the official pronouncement of Museveni’s victory by Uganda’s Electoral Commission on January 17.
Ruto said Museveni’s decisive victory in the just-concluded general election reflected the confidence
Ugandans have in his personal leadership and in the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, noting that the renewed mandate would reinvigorate the Ugandan leader’s resolve to accelerate the transformation of the country.
The Kenyan president also commended the people of Uganda and all stakeholders involved in the electoral process for undertaking a peaceful election, which he said attested to the country’s democratic maturity.
Highlighting the longstanding relations between the two neighbours, Ruto said Kenya and Uganda enjoy deep fraternal bonds and reaffirmed Nairobi’s readiness to work closely with Kampala to advance shared priorities for the mutual socio-economic benefit of citizens of both countries, the wider region and the African continent.
Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, was declared winner of Uganda’s presidential election, securing another term in office amid a tightly watched poll that attracted regional and international attention.
