Politics
President Museveni Condemns Violence, Bribery, and Electoral Malpractice in NRM Primaries
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has strongly condemned acts of violence, vote rigging, and bribery that marred the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries held on July 17, 2025, warning that all perpetrators will face prosecution.
In a detailed statement released on Sunday, July 20, 2025, the President hailed the massive voter turnout — an estimated 9.22 million members of the party, which is about 50% of the NRM’s confirmed 18.5 million membership — for participating in the mid-week elections. He described the primaries as a “massive democratic process” but warned against “unpatriotic actors” who attempted to distort the party’s mission through criminal behaviour.
“I must condemn, in the strongest terms, what I started hearing in some areas where some unpatriotic actors are alleged to have committed the following mistakes: altering results, tampering with registers, using violence (including causing deaths and injuries), and bribing voters,” the President said.
Museveni explained that such actions betray the core purpose of elections: to select leaders who can “kukyenuura” (solve the solvable problems) of the citizens. He cited examples where NRM programmes had successfully delivered results — including security, immunisation, public transport, and poverty alleviation initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM).
“Why should the Wanainchi tolerate the one who deflects them from this by being violent, cheating, etc.? With more political maturity, such people will be rejected,” he said.
The President further issued a stern warning to those who manipulated election results, noting that since the voting was done by lining up behind candidates, each village knew exactly how many supported each individual. “If you altered the results, we are coming for you,” Museveni declared.
He also promised action against perpetrators of violence and called for scrutiny of bloated voter registers, which he admitted were reported after the May 6 update exercise.
Regarding incidents involving security forces, Museveni hinted at deeper investigations: “Where soldiers and policemen are involved, you need to answer the question: Was it the soldier’s mistake or were some goons trying to disarm the security personnel?”
Despite acknowledging pockets of malpractice, the President praised the overall conduct of the elections in many areas and urged NRM members to remain calm and allow the law to take its course.
“Do not be provoked. We shall get the culprits,” Museveni assured party faithful, signing off the statement with his historical liberation-era titles Ssaabalwanyi (Chief Fighter) and Ssemalungu (Commander of the Night), to remind the Bazzukulu (grandchildren) of Uganda’s political journey.
Investigations into incidents like the robbery and assault in Nsambya — which resulted in 18 arrests — are already underway, indicating the start of the broader accountability measures the President emphasised.
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