National Unity Platform (NUP) leader, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, commonly known as Bobi Wine, has decried widespread electoral malpractice in Uganda’s by-elections, citing it as part of a deliberate strategy by the government to suppress opposition voices and distort democratic processes.
In a statement he posted on his X account after Kisoro’s by-election defeat, Bobi Wine expressed solidarity with his party’s candidate, Sultana Salim, who faced significant challenges in the just-concluded by-election.
Reflecting on past by-elections, Bobi Wine outlined a consistent pattern of alleged electoral fraud. “After the Kyadondo East by-election, we swept Bugiri and Arua. Our candidates triumphed in Jinja East and Rukungiri with our support,” he said. However, he noted a shift in the regime’s strategy, starting with Hoima, where “Hon. Asinasi Nyakato was robbed in broad daylight, although she later triumphed in the general election.”
Kyagulanyi highlighted key instances of what he described as “blatant rigging,” including the Kayunga by-election where the NRM candidate was declared the winner despite Harriet Nakwedde winning at all polling stations. “Museveni went there and stated that no matter what we did, NRM would have the last word,” he remarked.
The NUP leader also accused the regime of employing tactics such as ballot stuffing, intimidation, and bribery, particularly in the Soroti East, Omoro, and Busongora South by-elections. “Even in places where their candidates could potentially win comfortably, they engaged in massive ballot stuffing,” he asserted.
Regarding the Kisoro by-election, Bobi Wine criticized the Electoral Commission for giving candidates only 11 days to campaign in a district with 24 sub-counties. “This was clearly intended to benefit the NRM candidates,” he said, adding that media reports of low voter turnout were contradicted by the inflated results announced later.
