Zadock Amanyisa | Tayari News
KAMPALA – The President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, on Monday 26th January expressed disappointment with the Uganda Police Force and some leaders in his National Resistance Movement(NRM) ruling party who watched on as Ugandans were being intimidated in the build-up to the polls and created conflicts respectively, keeping Ugandans from voting for him in the January 15th presidential elections.
Speaking during the 40th NRM Liberation Day celebrations held at Kololo ceremonial grounds, President Museveni who is the NRM National Chairperson and president-elect said that as much as he celebrated the NRM liberation day and victory in the election, he got a lesser number of votes after his supporters shunned voting on the polling day.
“We are celebrating a big victory in politics, but I got 8 million votes from those who voted for me. But 10 million of my supporters did not turn up. On the 6th of May 2025, when we registered our voters, we had 21 million voters. 18 million of these were old enough to vote, but when we checked the register of the government, by that time, only eight million had registered.
So, we struggled, and apparently, our people registered 14 million of our 18 million supporters. I got 8million votes. So, where are my 6million votes? That means some of our people did not turn up.” President Museveni questioned
The President argued that had his supporters turned up to vote, there would be no opposition in Uganda.
“I hear the opposition wasting time talking nonsense. If you don’t know Uganda, you can waste your time. They are lucky because all my supporters did not turn up. Only a few came. If they had turned up, there would be no opposition in Uganda.” He said
“The opposition is threatening violence, and the police are doing nothing about it. Why should you attack anybody because of elections? What right do we even have to use harsh words? You have no right to do that. Why would the police hear that and keep quiet?” he asked.
Adding: “Another one is misbehaviour by some NRM leaders themselves. Engaging in conflicts and bringing wars among our people. They make some people get away from voting. That is the second group.”
Talking tough on PDM
The president also highlighted some development challenges, explaining that his government’s efforts to get Ugandans out of poverty have been marred by corruption across different sectors.
He gave an example of the Parish Development Model (PDM) program in which leaders have extorted money and mismanaged the Saccos.
“The PDM money in some areas has been grabbed by three people – the focal persons, the parish chief, and the chairman, who is selected by the chief and focal person. That’s not how the PDM is supposed to be. PDM needs to build from the general meeting of the parish, and these are the ones who want to get out of poverty. Anybody above 18years if they want. And it is the general meeting that is supposed to select a committee” He said
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President Museveni promised to amend PDM rules and put more money, especially in towns, where the government will put 300-400 million per parish, because there are many homes, and also in the rural areas, to be able to finish all the homes in three years.
“But please, all of you, go and be members of the parish PDM Sacco, and any parish that doesn’t follow that will go to jail. We shall arrest him. We have already arrested one of Buwambo because I got information that when we were campaigning, and I sent people to check, and it was true.” He reacted
The President further reiterated his plans to provide free education, fix the health sector and poor road network, and ensure corruption-free justice, among others.
The Minister of Presidency, Milly Balabanda Babirye, praised President Museveni and the NRM for facilitating sustained growth.
“Four decades of steadfast stewardship show this renewed democratic mandate is not merely an electoral victory but a powerful national endorsement of a leader whose clarity of purpose has guided Uganda from collapse to stability and from survival to sustained growth. Forty years ago, you promised to usher in a fundamental change. That promise has been fulfilled, marking a decisive break from the failures of the past.” She said
The President, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him as President by section 18 of the National Awards Act, granted awards to 33 individuals for having contributed to the NRM liberation and the development of Uganda. Awardees were drawn from politicians, public servants, and others. Awards included the Crested Crane-Grand Commander, Luweero Triangle Medal, Personal Sacrifice Award and the Meritorious Service Award. National Independence Diamond Jubilee Medal, Nalubale Medal, and Masaba Star.
