President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has ordered a sweeping crackdown on individuals accused of undermining the integrity of the recently concluded National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries, warning that the party’s legacy must not be polluted by self-seeking actors.
In a strongly-worded message addressed to NRM members and Ugandans, especially the youth or Bazzukulu, Museveni revealed that state agencies had begun targeted operations against suspected poll offenders.
“Thirty-eight individuals from Mayuge, Buyende, Kapchorwa, Pader, Oyam, Rwampara, Kareenga and Mbarara have already been arrested over allegations of altering results during the tallying process,” he stated, adding that more suspects were under surveillance.
The President expressed gratitude to the over 9.2 million party members who participated in the primaries held on July 17, 2025—roughly 50% of the NRM’s 18.5 million registered members. “This turnout, on a working day and mid-week, is commendable,” he said.
However, Museveni lamented reports of electoral malpractices in various regions, listing grave allegations including result tampering, manipulation of voter registers, voter bribery, and incidents of violence that reportedly led to injuries and deaths.
“This is a heritage of martyrs and heroes, not self-seekers,” he emphasized, referencing the NRM/NRA/FRONASA’s revolutionary roots.
To address these infractions, Museveni disclosed that a committee of “powerful lawyers” has been formed to process petitions and bring perpetrators to justice. “We shall clean up the NRM as we also defend the wider interests of all Ugandans,” he assured.
The President also appealed to party members and the public to share credible evidence related to violence, bribery, and interference with registers. “We are going to prosecute these mistake-makers. The easiest to start with are those who altered results,” he affirmed.
Museveni’s statement comes amid growing concern over the conduct of internal party elections ahead of the 2026 General Election. Political analysts say the crackdown could serve both as a message of accountability within the ruling party and a means of restoring public confidence.
The NRM party, which has governed Uganda since 1986 under Museveni’s leadership, is facing increasing scrutiny over transparency and inclusiveness in its internal democratic processes.