By Eye Media Uganda | July 22, 2025
Kampala – The political ground beneath the feet of several National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearers has grown shaky following a stern statement from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the party’s National Chairman. In his additional address on the recent NRM primaries, the President sounded an alarm over widespread electoral fraud, warning that all those who were fraudulently declared winners are now under scrutiny.
The President said that although the NRM primaries were generally successful, the process was “kutokozibwa” (polluted) by acts of vote fraud, bribery, and manipulation of the registers by self-seeking actors.
“These actions were criminal and also distorting the politics and the law of elections. What was crucial and urgent was the criminal side of committing fraud by altering results, using violence and bribery,” the President warned.
With the state’s Internal Security Organisation (ISO) and Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) already making arrests, attention has now turned to those candidates who were dubiously declared flag bearers.
“What happens to the flag bearers who were fraudulently declared? Why doesn’t Tanga Odoi change and announce the proper results?” President Museveni asked, putting the spotlight squarely on the Electoral Commission boss and raising fresh questions about the legitimacy of many so-called victors.
He added that the vote counting process was transparent and visible to all – done by lining up during daytime.
“How does anybody change that, other than making oneself a fool?” the President posed.
The legal pathway to resolving the disputes now lies with the NRM Tribunal – the party’s legal committee – which will handle both the political and legal aspects of the contested results. Museveni revealed that Tanga Odoi cannot rectify the mess himself.
“It is the lawyers’ committee (the Tribunal), that will deal with politics and the Law. They will be guided by the same facts that guided ISO and CID in arresting the criminals and charging them,” he noted.
The President’s statement is likely to send a chill down the spine of those declared winners under questionable circumstances, especially where popular candidates were defeated under suspicious circumstances.
“Those affected by the mistakes of the mistake-makers should know that their grievances are already being addressed. Everything will be rectified,” he assured.
With the President backing investigations and the legal process underway, many so-called flag bearers could soon find their victories overturned.
The message is clear: the game is not over.
