Spotlight on Africa: Uganda vote and Somaliland recognition roil East Africa

In this first episode of Spotlight on Africa for 2026, we look back at a very eventful first three weeks of January. We focus on the recent general elections in Uganda, Israel's recognition of Somaliland, and how both could have implications for the entire East Africa region and beyond. Over 21 million Ugandan citizens were called to the polls last Thursday in the country's general elections. Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, 81, stood for a seventh term following 40 years in power. He faced seven challengers, including Robert Kyagulanyi, known to most as Bobi Wine, who garnered substantial support but fell short of unseating the veteran leader. Museveni was declared the winner on Saturday 17 January, securing over 76 per cent of the vote. In this edition of Spotlight on Africa, you'll hear from Bobi Wine's international lawyer, Robert Amsterdam, about the formidable obstacles facing opposition candidates during the campaign. 'He represents a population desperate for change’, Bobi Wine’s lawyer tells RFI Jeffrey Smith, executive director of the think tank Vanguard Africa, joins us to examine the aftermath of these elections and the future of politics in Uganda, and more broadly across East Africa and other parts of the continent where democracy is severely undermined. Somaliland, Israel and the Horn of Africa The state of Israel recognised the independence of Somaliland from Somalia in the final days of December, prompting widespread concern and questions in an already turbulent region, and drawing largely condemnatory responses. The risky calculations behind Israel's recognition of Somaliland Faisal Ali is a Somali British independent journalist. He looks with us at the motivations behind this move for every state involved. Episode edited by Melissa Chemam and mixed Erwan Rome. Spotlight on Africa is produced by Radio France Internationale's English language service.