Kampala, Uganda 21 July 2025 – President Yoweri Museveni has strongly condemned widespread irregularities, including vote alteration, voter register tampering, violence, and bribery, that marred the recent National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries held on July 17, 2025. In a stern statement, Museveni asserted that those responsible for these “unpatriotic acts” would face prosecution under Ugandan law.
The President revealed that approximately 9.22 million NRM members participated in the primaries, representing about 50% of the party’s total membership of 18.5 million. However, he expressed deep concern over numerous reported malpractices. He specifically highlighted instances of altered results, tampering with registers (including a case where he personally intervened in Rwakyitura village), and the use of violence that led to injuries and even deaths. Bribery was also cited as a significant issue.
Museveni emphasized that these actions “pollute our beautiful process of democracy” and undermine the party’s efforts to implement programs aimed at solving people’s problems (“kukyenuura”). He questioned why soldiers and police officers were allegedly involved, demanding answers and suggesting that “goons” might have attempted to disarm security personnel, possibly in connection with a broader plot to incite riots similar to those in Kenya.
The President affirmed that the NRM leadership and party members are united in supporting the party’s programs for development. He reiterated the NRM’s commitment to “kukyenuura” through various initiatives, including security, immunization, economic liberalization, public transport improvements, refugee reconciliation, wealth creation, and the Parish Development Model (PDM).
Museveni concluded by congratulating NRM members but urged them not to be provoked by the encountered problems, assuring that “we shall get the culprits.” He stated that the voting generally went well in many areas despite the “pollutants” to the democratic process.
