'Ssemalungu' Museveni Condemns Violence in NRM Primaries

President Museveni has spoken out on the violent and chaotic scenes that marred the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries held on July 17, warning perpetrators of electoral fraud and violence that they will be prosecuted.

In a detailed statement released on Sunday, July 20, the President congratulated the estimated 9.22 million party members who turned up to vote, describing the turnout as a "solid show of strength" despite the primaries being held mid-week.

However, the President, who is also the NRM Chairman, sharply condemned the “unpatriotic actors” behind violence, bribery, voter register tampering, and result manipulation in several areas across the country.

In a notably symbolic moment within the address, Museveni introduced a new personal title, Ssemalungu, which he said—alongside his long-standing title Ssabalwanyi (chief fighter)—he is now using “to sensitise the Bazzukulu (grandchildren) about our history.”

The word Ssemalungu, though not officially defined in the statement, appears to carry cultural or historical significance that the President intends to popularise through public discourse.

"Signed: Yoweri K. Museveni, Ssabalwanyi, Ssemalungu," the President concluded his missive, making it the first time he has formally adopted both bush-war-era inspired honorifics in an official statement.

In Luganda, "Ssemalungu lliterally means "father of the white man" or "the white man’s patriarch".

It can also mean "the original white man" or "chief of white men."

The President condemned the manipulation of the party’s democratic processes, listing four major electoral malpractices: altering results, tampering with registers, using violence—including acts that caused deaths—and bribing voters with money and material incentives.

“These are politically and ideologically wrong and must be condemned by all the lovers of the NRM and Uganda,” Museveni said, describing such actions as a betrayal of the NRM’s mission to kukyenuura—a Runyankore word he explained as “solving the solvable problems” of the people.

Using characteristic metaphor, Museveni said: “If my hair is not combed because I lack eshokozo (a comb), then I have omukyeno (a solvable problem). If, however, I have a bald head like your Oldman, then that is no longer omukyeno, it is obuhaangwa (how God created me).”

The party primaries were marred by widespread chaos, with multiple incidents of violence, voter intimidation, and blatant manipulation of results reported across the country.

In several districts, including Ntungamo, Karenga, Kapchorwa, Sembabule and Mityana, clashes broke out between rival camps, prompting heavy security deployment and the use of tear gas to disperse agitated crowds.

Allegations of ballot tampering, bribery, and inflated voter registers fueled outrage among losing candidates and their supporters, many of whom rejected the outcomes and vowed to challenge them through internal party mechanisms or court.

The violence and irregularities cast a shadow over what was supposed to be a demonstration of grassroots democracy, exposing deep divisions within the ruling party’s local structures.

The President warned that vote riggers would be prosecuted, beginning with those who altered results from the public lining-up voting process, as “each village knows who and how many voted for whom.”

He also cautioned that those who incited or committed acts of violence—whether civilians or members of the security forces—would not be spared.

“Where soldiers and policemen are involved, you need to answer the question: was it the soldier’s mistake or were some goons trying to disarm the security personnel as was being planned by the bankrupt leaders last year?” he asked, referring to the July 2024 foiled riot plans that authorities had linked to external influences.

Museveni also acknowledged concerns over bloated registers, despite a mass register update conducted on May 6 this year, including in his home village of Rwakyitura, where he personally verified 251 names.

“Where problems were encountered, do not be provoked. We shall get the culprits,” he said, appealing for calm while investigations continue.

The NRM party primaries, conducted using the party's trademark lining-up method, have faced criticism for descending into violence, especially in districts like Ntungamo, Karenga, Kapchorwa, and Mityana, where rival supporters clashed and police were deployed to restore order.

As the ruling party moves towards finalizing its 2026 general election line-up, the President’s promise of accountability may help restore public confidence—but only if followed by visible and decisive action.

In the meantime, the adoption of “Ssemalungu” adds yet another chapter to Museveni’s evolving effort to cast his leadership legacy in cultural and historical terms.