Museveni Speaks Out on Butambala Killings

Museveni receiving the presidential results from the NRM leadership on Sunday in Rwakitura

RWAKITURA, Uganda — President Museveni addressed the deadly Butambala incident on Sunday while receiving the official declaration of the presidential election results at his country home in Rwakitura, warning that the state would not tolerate political violence disguised as opposition activity.

In remarks delivered after the Electoral Commission formally declared his victory, Museveni said security forces had confronted armed groups following the defeat of opposition candidate Muwanga Kivumbi in Butambala.

“Some of our opposition members are wrong but not terrorists. Some of them are wrong and terrorists,” Museveni said.

He alleged that after Kivumbi’s defeat, gangs armed with pangas attempted to attack a polling station.

“When Kivumbi was defeated, they came with pangas and tried to attack the polling station, and seven of them were shot dead there,” the president said.

Kivumbi, a member of the National Unity Platform, had earlier given a sharply different account of the incident.

Speaking before Museveni’s remarks, Kivumbi alleged that security forces raided his home at night as vote tallying was ongoing at the district tally centre and shot dead members of his campaign team.

“They were killed inside my house,” Kivumbi said, adding that many people fled the compound as security personnel stormed the residence.

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A video recorded the following morning shows bullet holes in doors and walls of the house.

“They weren’t even on the road. They were looking for me,” he said, insisting he was the target.

Police have rejected Kivumbi’s claims. Katonga region police spokesperson Lydia Tumushabe said officers were responding to violence earlier in the day, alleging that groups of NUP supporters had attacked a tally centre and a police station. Police maintain that seven people were shot dead.

According to official results, Kivumbi lost the Butambala County parliamentary race to journalist Eriasa Mukiibi.

The contrasting accounts have intensified calls from opposition figures for independent investigations, while the government says the security response was necessary to prevent organised electoral violence and protect public order.

Museveni cautioned against what he described as isolated acts of violence linked to political extremism, stressing that peace in Uganda is sustained not only by security forces but also by citizens themselves, including members of the opposition.

He also issued a warning to groups he accused of collaborating with foreign interests to abandon violence.

“This is a free warning from me,” Museveni said. “Stop what you are doing. We shall maintain peace in Uganda.”