Museveni Orders Criminal Investigation Into Kawempe North By-Election

Kampala, Uganda – President Museveni has announced a “criminal and electoral investigation” into the Kawempe North by-election, citing reports of ballot stuffing, destruction of ballot boxes, voter intimidation, and illegal campaigning at polling stations.

In a statement issued on Sunday, March 16, 2025, Museveni declared that those responsible for election malpractices would be held accountable, emphasizing that the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) will not tolerate electoral fraud.

“To think that you can commit such crimes against the law and the people when the NRM is in charge of the country is the highest form of shallowness. We shall hold everybody accountable,” Museveni warned.

The President specifically pointed to incidents in Kazo-Angola and Mbogo Mosque zones, where ballot boxes were allegedly destroyed to prevent votes from being counted.

He also claimed that a suspect was arrested in possession of 18 ballot papers, reinforcing his argument that electoral fraud remains a persistent challenge in Uganda.

The criminal and electoral investigations ordered by Museveni comes after opposition leaders said state-backed security forces were responsible for election-related violence and intimidation.

NUP Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya has already challenged NRM to go to court, arguing that a legal battle will only expose state-sponsored election fraud.

“Let them go to court,” Rubongoya stated. “They will be giving us an opportunity to expose their excesses and rigging activities in the election.”

Rubongoya dismissed the NRM’s claims that the election was marred by violence orchestrated by the opposition, instead accusing state operatives of being the real perpetrators of intimidation and irregularities.

He questioned how the NRM managed to secure over 1,000 votes in three polling stations where NUP was dominant, and 8,000 votes overall, despite the constituency being a known opposition stronghold.

“Are we the ones who deployed RDCs who were chasing NUP’s agents from polling stations? They arrested and jailed many of our people,” he added, referencing the actions of Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), who allegedly disrupted the voting process in favor of the ruling party.

Electoral Fraud

While condemning election malpractice, Museveni also warned NRM members against engaging in cheating, saying the party should not justify rigging by claiming the opposition is doing the same.

“The NRM people must not involve themselves in cheating by saying that the opposition is doing it, they must also do it. Work to crush that disenfranchisement of the Ugandan people. That is why the NRM went to the bush,” he said.

The President reiterated his commitment to biometric voter verification as a way to curb election fraud, emphasizing that only those verified through biometric systems should be allowed to vote.

He called on all Ugandans who desire a peaceful and credible electoral process to support this initiative.

Museveni acknowledged reports of harsh treatment of journalists and civilians by security forces during the election but questioned why UPDF and Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JATT) forces had to be deployed for crowd control in the first place.

He blamed what he called the “indiscipline of some opposition groups” for the security presence in Kawempe North.

“The original question should be: Why should the UPDF and JATT have to be deployed in crowd management?” Museveni asked.

The President linked recent opposition-led protests to past unrest, referencing the 2009 Kabaka riots, the November 2020 protests, and panga-wielding criminal gangs in Masaka.

He warned that those who attempt to incite violence will face firm action, noting that when he deployed commandos in 2020, they “crushed the insurrection.”

NRM’s Internal Assessment

Museveni also acknowledged organizational weaknesses within NRM, particularly in reaching grassroots voters and mobilizing support effectively. He suggested that the destruction of ballot boxes in Kazo-Angola and Mbogo Centre could have been motivated by NRM’s growing support in those areas due to government anti-poverty programs.

“CEC is addressing those mistakes. We had a meeting last Friday,” Museveni said, hinting at a larger strategy to strengthen the party ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola of the National Unity Platform (NUP) won the Kawempe North parliamentary by-election with 17,764 votes, defeating his closest rival, Faridah Namabi Kigongo of the NRM, who secured 8,593 votes.

The by-election, held to fill the seat left vacant following the death of MP Muhammad Ssegirinya earlier this year.

The final tally, announced at Makerere University, also saw Hanifah Karadi Murerwa (Independent) with 381 votes, Sadat Mukiibi (FDC) with 239 votes, and Henry Mubiru Kasacca (DP) with 100 votes.