1996 Ugandan presidential election

1996 Ugandan presidential election

9 May 1996
Registered8,492,154
Turnout72.58%
 
Candidate Yoweri Museveni Paul Ssemogerere
Party Independent Independent
Popular vote 4,458,195 1,416,140
Percentage 74.33% 23.61%

Results by district
Museveni:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Ssemogerere:      50–60%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

President before election

Yoweri Museveni
Independent

Elected President

Yoweri Museveni
Independent

Presidential elections were held in Uganda on 9 May 1996. They were the first direct presidential elections in Uganda's history, following the adoption of the 1995 constitution. Conducted under the "no-party" or "Movement System," candidates ran as independents due to a ban on political party activities, though affiliations with groups like the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and Democratic Party (DP) influenced campaigns. Incumbent president Yoweri Museveni won a landslide victory with 74% of the vote, defeating Paul Ssemogerere and Kibirige Mayanja. Voter turnout was 73%. While international observers described the election as largely valid, opposition candidates alleged irregularities, including voter intimidation and unfair campaign practices.