By Kabuye Ronald
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reaffirmed his commitment to justice and accountability within the National Resistance Movement (NRM) following widespread allegations of electoral malpractice during the party’s recent primaries.
In a strongly worded statement issued as both President and NRM Chairman, Museveni condemned the actions of what he termed “self-seekers” who sought to “kutokozibwa” (pollute) the party’s internal democratic process. He cited serious irregularities, including vote tampering, bribery, interference with registers, and the use of violence, calling them not only political breaches but also outright criminal acts.
“You saw my messages regarding the glorious NRM primaries that were, nevertheless, kutokozibwa by mistakes committed by self-seekers,” Museveni stated. “The mistakes included: altering results; bribery; and claims of interfering with the registers. These actions were criminal and also distorting the politics and the law of elections.”
The President praised the work of state investigative bodies like the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) and the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), which have already apprehended and charged some individuals involved in the electoral fraud.
“What was crucial and urgent was the criminal side of committing fraud by altering results, using violence and bribery. The state structures… have already helped us by arresting the criminals and charging them,” he said.
However, Museveni acknowledged that beyond the criminal prosecutions, there remain important political and legal consequences that must be addressed. Specifically, he questioned the legitimacy of flagbearers who were fraudulently declared as winners, and the role of NRM’s electoral commission chairman, Dr. Tanga Odoi, in correcting the errors.
“Why doesn’t Tanga Odoi change and announce the proper results? Remember, that the voting was by lining up, during the day and everybody saw the results. How does anybody change that, other than making oneself a fool?”
According to legal counsel advising the party, Dr. Odoi is not in a position to rectify errors that may have originated from his office. Instead, Museveni said, the responsibility now lies with the NRM Lawyers’ Committee also referred to as the Tribunal which will handle the political and legal resolution of the disputed primaries.
“Our lawyers have advised that Tanga Odoi cannot be the one who corrects a mistake that he made. It is the lawyers’ committee (the Tribunal), that will deal with politics and the Law,” Museveni stated. “They will, of course, be guided by the same facts that guided ISO and CID in arresting the criminals and charging them.”
He concluded with a message of reassurance to aggrieved party members: “Those affected by the mistakes of the mistake-makers should know that their grievances are already being addressed. Everything will be rectified. It is just the facts and evidence that will conclude the matter.”
The President’s statement signals a firm stand against electoral malpractice within the NRM and sends a clear message that the integrity of the party’s democratic processes must be upheld.
