President Yoweri Museveni has directed an electoral and criminal investigation into allegations of malpractice during the recently concluded Kawempe North by-election.
The president cited concerns over ballot stuffing, vote alteration, and destruction of ballot boxes in areas such as Kazo-Angola and Mbogo Mosque Zone, acts he described as “criminal and unacceptable.”
In a strongly worded statement released on Sunday, Museveni noted that while security deployment had prevented large-scale violence, certain electoral offenses persisted. He condemned voter intimidation, illegal campaigning at polling stations, and acts of violence, stressing that those responsible will be held accountable.
“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. Those who intimidate NRM supporters must stop and apologize to those they have threatened. This nonsense of saying ‘yemwe abatusibyeko NRM’ must end. Ugandans have a right to their own choices, and we will ensure that choice is respected.” he stated
The president reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring electoral integrity, advocating for biometric verification as a means to eliminate fraud.
“Nobody who is not biometrically verified will vote. It must be one person, one vote. That is why we insist on biometric systems. Somebody was arrested with 18 ballot papers! How can we allow such fraudulent activities to continue? We fought in the bush to stop such disenfranchisement of Ugandan people. We will not tolerate it.”he emphasised
Museveni also addressed concerns about the role of security forces in electoral processes, particularly allegations of excessive force against journalists and opposition members. While acknowledging the need for further review, he argued that security deployment arises from the “indiscipline of some opposition groups.”
“I have heard people talking about the harsh methods by some security elements, especially against the journalists,” Museveni said. “We are studying this. However, the original question should be: ‘Why should the UPDF and JATT have to be deployed in crowd management?’ Uganda is an island of peace in the region because of our strong security. Our forces have more pressing assignments, fighting ADF in Congo, stopping cattle rustlers in Karamoja, crushing Kony’s remnants in the Central African Republic, and dealing with al-Shabaab in Somalia. There, they shoot to kill. That is why nightclub-goers in Kampala can dance the whole night without fear. But why do these forces get diverted to deal with electoral violence? Because of the indiscipline of some opposition actors.”he questioned
The president further linked electoral violence to past opposition-led unrest, referencing the 2009 Buganda riots and the 2020 protests that resulted in casualties.
“Who organized the Kabaka riots of September 10–12, 2009? Who organized the riots of November 18–20, 2020, where people were killed, NRM women were undressed, and policemen were attacked? Who was behind the panga groups in Masaka? These are not coincidences,” Museveni said.
Regarding the specific allegations in Kawempe North, Museveni demanded answers.
“Who destroyed the ballot boxes of 50 polling stations out of 197 polling stations in Kawempe North? Why were these particular stations targeted? You have been inviting the NRM to attend to you. We shall do exactly that,” he warned.
The NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) has already said they plan to drag the EC to court over party’s performance in the by-election and strategize for future political contests. The investigations into election-related violence and malpractice are ongoing, with security agencies tasked with bringing perpetrators to book.
