President Yoweri Museveni has directed a criminal and electoral investigation into the recently concluded Kawempe North by-election, citing multiple allegations of electoral malpractice.
In a statement released on Sunday afternoon, the president confirmed that investigations were already underway following reports of ballot stuffing, result alterations, and destruction of ballot boxes in certain polling areas such as Kazo-Angola and Mbogo Mosque Zone. Other concerns raised include voter intimidation, violence, and campaigning at polling stations.
“The heavy deployment of security forces may have prevented large-scale violence, but it could not stop these micro crimes that should have been managed by the election officials,” Museveni stated. “To think that you can commit such crimes against the law and the people when the NRM is in charge of the country is the highest form of shallowness. We shall hold everybody accountable.”
The by-election saw National Unity Platform’s Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi declared the winner after securing victory over NRM’s Faridah Nambi. However, election day was marred by violent confrontations, with reports of UPDF soldiers beating up NUP supporters and journalists covering the events.
President Museveni acknowledged the concerns about attacks on journalists, stating that an investigation into the matter was ongoing. However, he defended the deployment of the UPDF, attributing it to what he called “indiscipline” within some opposition groups.
“Uganda is an island of peace in the region because of the UPDF. They have enough work fighting ADF, cattle rustlers in Karamoja, and al-Shabaab in Somalia. Why should they be diverted to deal with crowd management? It is because of the indiscipline of some opposition groups,” he said.
Museveni also pointed to past incidents of unrest, such as the 2009 Buganda riots and the 2020 November protests, as justification for government intervention in ensuring order.
The investigation into the electoral process is expected to determine the extent of irregularities and potential legal action against those found culpable.
