President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has announced the commencement of an electoral and criminal investigation into alleged irregularities during the Kawempe North by-election.
In a statement addressed to Ugandans, particularly the youth (Bazzukulu), the President condemned electoral malpractice and pledged to hold all culprits accountable.
“The following allegations have come up: ballot papers stuffing, altering results, destroying ballot boxes in Kazo-Angola, Mbogo Mosque zone, etc., because, apparently, some people did not want those votes to be counted, campaigning at the polling stations, intimidation, violence, etc.,” said President Museveni.
He criticized perpetrators who engage in electoral fraud despite the National Resistance Movement (NRM) being in charge of the country.
“Some people really miscalculate. To think that you can commit such crimes against the law and the people when the NRM is in charge of the country is the highest form of shallowness. We shall hold everybody accountable,” he warned.
NRM Calls for Order and Respect for Electoral Processes
The President also emphasised the need for political tolerance, urging opposition supporters to stop intimidating NRM members.
“Those who intimidate NRM supporters must stop and apologize to those you intimidate. Those of the language: ‘Yemwe abatusibyeko NRM’ (You are the ones who imposed NRM on us) must stop. Respect the Ugandans’ choices,” he asserted.
Museveni attributed Uganda’s history of instability to electoral malpractice, stating that ballot-stuffing had been happening since 1961.
“That is how Uganda ended up being unstable. Leaders do not concentrate on solving people’s problems because they know they can cheat and be in power whether the people support them or not. This will stop.”
Pushing for Electoral Reforms
The President reaffirmed his commitment to biometric voter verification as the only way to ensure electoral transparency.
“Nobody else who is not bio-metrically verified will vote. I hope all the Ugandans who want peace will support this. It must be one person, one vote. Somebody was arrested with 18 ballot papers.”
He also cautioned against NRM members engaging in electoral malpractice in retaliation against opposition misconduct.
“The NRM people must not involve themselves in cheating by saying that the opposition is doing it, they must also do it. Work to crush that disenfranchisement of the Ugandan people. That is why the NRM went to the bush,” Museveni stated.
Security Deployment and Allegations of Harsh Methods
President Museveni acknowledged concerns about heavy security deployment and reports of security officers mistreating journalists.
“We are studying this. However, the original question should be: Why should the UPDF and JATT have to be deployed in crowd management?” he asked.
He blamed opposition groups for incidents of public disorder that necessitate military intervention. “Who organised the Kabaka riots of September 10th-12th, 2009? Who organised the 2020 riots of November 18th to 20th, where people were killed, NRM women were undressed, policemen were attacked? Where was the Army in all that?”
The President defended the army’s role in maintaining Uganda’s stability, citing threats such as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), Karamoja cattle rustlers, Joseph Kony’s remnants in the Central African Republic, and Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia.
“There, they shoot to kill. That is why nightclub goers can dance the whole night in peace,” he said.
Investigations to Identify Perpetrators
President Museveni assured Ugandans that the investigation would determine who was responsible for election malpractice.
“Investigations will show us who destroyed the ballot paper boxes at Kazo-Angola, Mbogo centre, etc., and why. Could it be because of the big support the NRM has there because of the anti-poverty programmes in the area?” he asked.
He also acknowledged mistakes on the NRM’s side, particularly in engaging the electorate. “There are also organizational mistakes on the NRM side, especially not working collectively and reaching the Wanainchi. CEC is addressing those mistakes. We had a meeting last Friday.”
