By Jumah Kakomo and Kabuye Ronald
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has alleged that opposition politicians procured 2.7 million ballot papers to rig the 2021 general elections, and has reiterated the need for electronic voter verification in the 2026 polls to curb electoral fraud.
According to the President, the opposition’s alleged vote-rigging machinery involved the printing of one million ballot papers from printeries on Nasser Road in Kampala, while an additional 1.7 million ballot papers were allegedly imported from Dubai and used for ballot stuffing.
Museveni assured Ugandans that stringent measures have since been put in place to counter such electoral malpractices and called upon the electorate to remain vigilant during future elections.
He made the remarks during a media interaction with journalists from districts in the Greater Mubende area of the Buganda sub-region.
The President also issued a warning to National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, accusing him of making reckless statements that allegedly encouraged post-election unrest by mobilizing supporters to confront security personnel. Museveni dismissed claims that the civilian population could overwhelm security forces and ruled out the possibility of post-election violence.
He urged Ugandans to turn up in large numbers on polling days to freely and peacefully exercise their democratic rights, while directing security agencies to maintain professionalism throughout the electoral period.
On infrastructure, Museveni pledged to further prioritize the improvement of key roads in the Greater Mubende region. He also committed to resolving long-standing land conflicts in the area.
The President promised to take action against staff of quality control agencies who allow counterfeit agricultural inputs onto the Ugandan market and hinted at improving the implementation strategy of the four-acre model initiative.
Museveni noted that the four key sectors of commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and information and communication technology (ICT), promoted under the NRM government, have so far created 23.17 million jobs. He encouraged Ugandans to identify suitable sectors and actively participate in the money economy.
Speaking at his residence in Kisozi, Gomba District, Museveni emphasized the importance of East African political federation in advancing regional security objectives. He also underscored the need for market integration and intensified wealth creation to achieve socio-economic transformation, while faulting opposition politicians for what he described as efforts that undermine peace and development.
