Museveni Warns Opposition Ahead of 2026 Elections: “Those Planning Riots Like 2020 Will End Up Badly”

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has cautioned individuals he says are being funded by foreign groups to stir unrest in Uganda ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Speaking to journalists at Mbale State Lodge during his campaign tour in the Bugisu subregion, the President said Uganda’s steady progress in industry, agriculture, and oil has attracted envy and interference from abroad.

“These foreigners are very worried about Uganda. Uganda is moving very strong — industry is growing, we don’t lack anything. We have all the food, the raw materials, and soon we are getting our oil,” Museveni said. “So they are very worried and some of them have been talking with our confused people about how to control our national parks and other resources.”

Museveni stated that some of these foreign forces are working through local actors to incite violence, referencing the November 2020 riots that erupted after the arrest of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine.

“Those are the groups sponsoring these children to do bad things. But they are easy to deal with. We have no problem — we pick them, and after some time, we release them,” he said.

The President also revealed that two Kenyans allegedly working with Kyagulanyi’s group had been arrested for being “experts in riots,” warning that those who host or fund such actors would face consequences.

“The ones who are doing that game here in Uganda will end up badly. We normally defeat it by counter-mobilization and counter-action,” he warned.

Museveni urged Ugandans not to be misled into destroying property during demonstrations, emphasizing that development belongs to all citizens.

“You may burn Museveni’s house thinking it’s his, but that house is ours — all of us. The cement and materials paid taxes, and that tax gives free education to our children,” he said.

He also tasked NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong with intensifying civic education on patriotism.

“There is no factory for Museveni in Uganda — all the factories are ours. If I build a factory in India, it becomes a factory of India,” Museveni explained.

The President called for peaceful political engagement ahead of the elections.

“If you are angry, you can demonstrate peacefully and show that you are not happy. But don’t destroy. Suppose you take over — where will you start if everything is already burnt?”

Museveni continues his campaign trail across Bugisu, urging citizens to uphold peace and protect Uganda’s progress.