President Museveni has vowed to take legal action against individuals who altered results, incited violence, or engaged in bribery during the recently concluded NRM party primaries held on July 17, 2025.
In a statement addressed to party members and the public in general, the president praised the high voter turnout but condemned electoral malpractices that marred the process in some areas.
“One of our sources has now told me that 9.22 million members of our party participated in the primaries on a working day and mid-week, is not bad. Congratulations,” Museveni noted.
However, his message quickly turned critical, warning those who tampered with the democratic process that justice would be served.
“I must condemn, in the strongest terms, what I started hearing in some areas where some unpatriotic actors are alleged to have committed the following mistakes; altering results, tampering with the registers, using violence and the use of money and materials to bribe voters,” he stated.
Calling such acts both “politically and ideologically wrong”, Museveni stressed that they undermine the core purpose of electing leaders who can “kukyenuura” (solve the solvable problems) of the citizens.
“The easiest to start with, are those who altered results. If, therefore, you altered the results, we are coming for you,” the President warned.
He emphasized that because the elections were conducted by lining up behind candidates in broad daylight, every village knows the true outcome of the vote making it easy to detect and prove manipulation.
“It is not only the registrar that knows the results village by village,” he added, affirming that investigations are already underway.
The President also warned those who instigated or engaged in violence during the primaries that they would not be spared.
“The next to deal with are those who caused violence. That criminality must have been witnessed by many people. We shall go for the wrong-doer,” he said.
In cases where security forces were involved, Museveni said each incident will be scrutinized carefully to determine whether soldiers or police acted in error or were provoked by criminal elements.
“You need to answer the question: ‘Was it the soldier’s mistake or were some goons trying to disarm the security personnel?’” he asked.
On the issue of tampered registers, the President admitted that although the NRM register was edited countrywide on May 6, 2025 an exercise he personally participated in at his home village of Rwakitura he had since received reports of “bloated villages.” He promised that this too would be investigated.
Despite the irregularities, Museveni acknowledged that in many parts of the country, the process was smooth and peaceful.
“In spite of those pollutants to our beautiful and massive democratic process, in many areas, the voting went on well from what I have gathered,” he said.
He congratulated the party members and urging those affected by misconduct not to be provoked.
“Where problems were encountered, do not be provoked. We shall get the culprits,” the president assured.
