By BM
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged Ugandans to uphold unity within the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and avoid divisions fueled by electoral disputes, stressing that allegations of malpractice must be addressed with evidence rather than anger.
Speaking at his first rally at Kololo Independence Grounds after being nominated for the 2026 presidential elections, Museveni compared internal disputes to “pollutants in tea.”
He explained that while some impurities could easily be removed, others required more caution, warning that irregularities should not be allowed to fracture party unity.
The President acknowledged concerns about alleged alterations of results during the recent NRM primaries.
He described the idea of altering results as a foolish move, noting that any careful leader could identify where tampering had occurred.
He emphasized that such actions were not merely party issues but crimes under the Penal Code of Uganda.
Museveni revealed that some registrars implicated in irregularities had already been arrested; a move he said showed that accountability would be enforced.
He added that those who engaged in selfish practices that threatened the party’s cohesion should be exposed systematically, with facts that were provable.
He reminded the crowd that the NRM had registered more than 20 million members across the country earlier this year, of who 18.5 million were eligible voters.
He warned that individuals exploiting the party’s structures for selfish gain were undermining both unity and progress.
In July 2025, Museveni directed the arrest of eight individuals accused of tampering with election results during the NRM primaries.
The suspects, from districts including Mayuge, Buyende, Kapchorwa, Pader, Oyam, Rwampara, Kareenga, and Mbarara, are under investigation for alleged vote tampering, bribery, violence, and voter register manipulation.
This was the first public confirmation by the Head of State that law enforcement had taken action in response to widespread complaints that marred the July 17 primaries.
Concluding his address, Museveni thanked supporters for their loyalty and assured them that irregularities would be rooted out.
He expressed delight at the overwhelming turnout at Kololo, noting that he was happy to see such unity as the election season progressed. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
