Uganda Opposition Figures Describe Elections as “Worst” in the Country’s History

Outgoing Kira Municipality Member of Parliament and People’s Front for Freedom spokesperson Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda has strongly criticised the January 15 elections, describing them as the worst Uganda has ever experienced.

Speaking on NBS Frontline on Thursday, Ssemujju said the scale and nature of irregularities during the polls were deeply troubling and pointed to deliberate manipulation rather than administrative failure.

“What worries me is the scale at which these things are happening. One thing which should worry Ugandans is that many of the irregularities that took place during the elections were deliberate,” Ssemujju said.

He accused the Electoral Commission of having lost control of the electoral process, claiming the elections were effectively run by President Yoweri Museveni, his son, and the military. Ssemujju argued that Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama was merely providing a facade of institutional oversight.

“In most instances, tallying is occurring outside the tally centre. Actually, I have evidence that some candidates are being asked for money in order to be declared,” he said, raising concerns about transparency and the credibility of declared results.

Ssemujju’s remarks come amid growing public and political debate over the conduct of the elections, which featured tightly contested races in several parts of the country.

Mulyanyama, who contested on the National Unity Platform ticket, said while no election is ever completely free of challenges, the latest exercise stood out for the wrong reasons.

“I am not saying elections are always perfect, but this one was worse. There will be a lot of complaints arising from local government elections in different areas, and judges may face serious challenges in addressing all of them,” he said.

A number of political actors and candidates have accused the Electoral Commission of electoral injustices, intimidation and unprofessional conduct. Courts across the country have registered a surge in election petitions since the polls, with aggrieved candidates seeking vote recounts and, in some cases, the annulment of results.

Legal analysts say the volume of petitions reflects widening mistrust in the electoral process.

The Electoral Commission has previously defended its management of the elections, insisting the polls were conducted in accordance with the law and that aggrieved parties should seek redress through courts.

Opposition figures argue that systemic weaknesses and political interference continue to undermine electoral integrity, warning that failure to address these concerns could further erode public confidence in Uganda’s democratic institutions.

SOURCE: NP