By KT Reporter
President Yoweri Museveni has challenged his supporters to desist from vote rigging, emphasizing that the practice is a criminal act punishable by imprisonment. He issued the warning while addressing supporters at the former cotton ginnery grounds in Kaliro district.
The remarks came in response to congregants who accused the National Resistance Movement (NRM) electoral commission of manipulating electoral processes by imposing unpopular candidates. The crowds claimed that this perceived bias forced them to support independent NRM-leaning candidates instead of the official party flag bearers.
In his response, Museveni condemned vote rigging, stressing that it is unacceptable and should never be practiced, especially by political leaders. Henry Muyodi said that the level of vote rigging witnessed during the NRM primaries discouraged many voters from participating in subsequent electoral processes. “We lined up behind our preferred candidates and left polling stations knowing their scores, only to watch returning officers declare otherwise. This manipulation has deterred participation in elections for fear of repetition,” he said.
Muyodi added that rumors of “orders from above” to favor weaker candidates over stronger ones angered voters. Mirabu Musekwa noted that electoral malpractice extended to biased treatment by security officials, giving some candidates an unfair advantage. She said such incidents undermine the outcomes of internal party primaries and create divisions within the party.
Gloria Wako argued that dissatisfaction among party members at various levels threatens the NRM’s performance in next year’s general election. She advised that discontented independent NRM-leaning candidates should be allowed to compete freely without reprimand to foster harmony at the grassroots.
Museveni’s remarks were met with cheers from the crowd, signaling agreement with his stance. He emphasized that not even members of parliament are immune from prosecution for vote rigging, which he described as unconstitutional. He encouraged residents to present evidence of vote rigging in the recently concluded NRM primaries for thorough assessment by the party’s specialized team.
Museveni also called on the youth to embrace discipline, noting that virtuous living is key to opening doors of success. “Intentional discipline fosters mutual respect and strengthens not only the party but also its impact in society,” he said.
-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
