The United States has issued a travel advisory for its citizens in Uganda amid rising tensions following the country’s presidential election on Thursday, January 15, 2026. Official results from the vote are still being finalized.
In a notice released Friday, January 16, the U.S. Embassy in Uganda warned Americans after reports emerged that security forces had used teargas and fired warning shots to disperse crowds in several locations. The embassy described the security situation as “fluid” and urged citizens to exercise heightened caution while vote counting continues across the nation.
The advisory advised Americans to avoid large gatherings, protests, and non-essential travel due to the elevated political climate following the elections. U.S. citizens were also encouraged to stay informed by following local media updates, keep a low profile, remain aware of their surroundings, and ensure their phones are charged with emergency contacts saved.
Additionally, the embassy reminded Americans to carry proper identification, including a valid U.S. passport and a current Ugandan visa, in case of security checks.
Preliminary election figures show incumbent President Yoweri Museveni leading as the Electoral Commission continues tallying votes nationwide. Opposition candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, has challenged the figures announced so far, questioning their source and credibility. Kyagulanyi emphasized that the final outcome should reflect the will of the Ugandan people, raising concerns about potential post-election disputes.
According to the latest provisional results, 6,830,089 valid votes have been counted from 30,138 polling stations, representing 59.4% of the country’s total stations. Museveni leads with 5,148,845 votes, or 75.38%, a slight decrease from earlier tallies, while Kyagulanyi holds 1,414,619 votes, equivalent to 20.71% of votes counted.
Uganda has a history of unrest following contested elections, and international observers are closely monitoring the situation as the Electoral Commission works toward announcing the final results.
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