NUP Dismisses Museveni’s Rigging Claims as “Outrageous” in Defensive Move.
By Amos Ssemuwemba
The National Unity Platform (NUP) has forcefully rejected President Yoweri Museveni’s recent accusations of vote rigging in the 2021 general elections, labeling the claims as “outrageous” and “shameless.” In a defensive move, NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya responded to Museveni’s assertions by challenging their validity and highlighting the irony of the allegations.
In response, Rubongoya dismissed Museveni’s allegations as “outrageous,” pointing out that the government itself faced widespread accusations of electoral manipulation during the same election. He remarked, “Museveni, who has been accused of extensive election rigging, is now accusing NUP of similar wrongdoing. The 2021 election was widely condemned as a disaster, with reports of ballot stuffing, the arrest of our polling agents, and the seizure of declaration forms.”
Rubongoya also questioned the credibility of Museveni’s claims, specifically challenging the plausibility of Museveni securing 100% of the vote in 400 polling stations. “Such results are ridiculous by any standard,” he said.
Speaking at a Thanksgiving service for the late General Aronda Nyakairima on Thursday, President Museveni alleged that NUP inflated its vote count by one million during the 2021 elections. He claimed to have concrete evidence supporting these accusations and challenged NUP to contest his claims if they disagreed. Museveni suggested that the alleged rigging was due to failures by electoral agents who did not properly oversee the voting process.
To address election fraud, Museveni proposed introducing electronic voting systems, recommending that elections at polling stations with malfunctioning machines be suspended until issues are resolved.
The 2021 election, which saw President Museveni secure a contentious victory, was marred by violence, suppression of opposition activities, and the abduction of NUP supporters. International observers were barred from monitoring the election process, further compounding concerns about its integrity.
Rubongoya urged Museveni to present his evidence and reiterated NUP’s call for an independent audit of the 2021 elections, preferably overseen by credible international organizations such as the United Nations. He argued that the real issue is not with electoral laws but with their enforcement, stating, “The problem is impunity. The laws are adequate, but they are not followed.”
As Uganda looks ahead to the 2026 general elections, Rubongoya expressed concern that Museveni might be setting the stage for further undemocratic practices, questioning his ability to win a fair popular vote. The ongoing dispute underscores the deep-seated tensions and skepticism surrounding Uganda’s electoral process.
