By Aggrey Baba
H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who also doubles as the NRM party chairman has condemned acts of vote rigging, violence, and bribery witnessed during the recent NRM party elections, calling for the prosecution of all individuals who tampered with the electoral process.
In a strongly worded message addressed to party members, particularly the Bazzukulu, Museveni said the NRM can’t afford to tolerate unpatriotic behaviour that undermines its democratic values.
The party leader congratulated the 9.22 million members who turned up to vote in the July 17 primaries, saying their participation was commendable, especially given that the election took place on a working day. He noted that this turnout represented about 50 percent of the NRM’s 18.5 million registered members, according to data verified on May 6, 2025.
Despite the high level of participation, Museveni expressed concern over reports of malpractice in some areas, saying he had received credible information that some individuals altered results, tampered with village registers, bribed voters, and, in some cases, used violence that led to injuries and even death.
He described these actions as not only wrong politically and ideologically, but also illegal under Ugandan law.
Museveni warned that the first group to face prosecution would be those who altered election results, since the voting process (conducted by lining up behind candidates during the day) made it easy to verify who won in each village.
“We are coming for you,” Museveni warned, adding that it was not only the electoral registrars who knew the results, but the entire communities where the votes were cast.
The president also said those who incited or participated in acts of violence during the primaries would be investigated and prosecuted, pointing to past incidents where groups tried to disarm security personnel during political unrest, warning that any involvement by soldiers or policemen would also be scrutinized.
On the question of bloated registers, Mzee (as party members address him) acknowledged that although a thorough cleaning exercise was done in May, some irregularities had since been reported, adding that he would ensure these are investigated and corrected, citing his own experience in Rwakyitura, where the village register was reduced from 350 to 251 names, including the removal of First Lady Janet Museveni, who now votes from Ntungamo.
Museveni reminded party members of the core purpose of political leadership, which he described as solving the real and solvable problems faced by ordinary Ugandans. He used a proverb to illustrate his point: “If my hair is not combed because I lack eshokozo (a comb), then I have omukyeno (a solvable problem). But if I have a bald head like your Oldman here, that is not omukyeno, it is obuhaangwa (how God made me).”
The President said voters must not support leaders who resort to violence, cheating or bribery, because such individuals can’t help solve the country’s problems, saying that true leaders are those who are honest, disciplined, and committed to service.
He gave examples of NRM programs that have delivered real results, such as immunisation campaigns, economic liberalisation, increased investor confidence, public transport improvements, and the Parish Development Model (PDM)
Museveni urged party supporters not to be provoked by the irregularities witnessed in some areas, saying the government and NRM leadership would identify and punish the culprits without delay.
“Don’t be provoked. We shall get the culprits,” he assured.
As the proverb goes, “The knife that cuts the yam forgets, but the yam remembers.” The voters may forgive, but the damage done by electoral malpractice lingers, and the party chairman’s latest message appears to signal that, this time, NRM will not just move on quietly. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
