President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has drawn a clear line between the NRM Electoral Commission chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi and the ongoing efforts to resolve disputes from the party’s recent primaries, saying Odoi cannot be trusted to fix the very mistakes he allegedly presided over.
In a public message addressed to NRM members particularly the Bazzukulu (grandchildren) and all Ugandans Museveni acknowledged the deep concerns over widespread malpractice in the party’s internal elections, including result tampering, bribery, and register manipulation.
“The glorious NRM primaries… were nevertheless kutokozibwa (polluted) by mistakes committed by self-seekers,” Museveni said, condemning the acts as criminal and damaging to Uganda’s democratic processes.
While security agencies such as ISO and CID have already arrested and charged several individuals involved in electoral fraud, the President turned attention to the political and legal consequences of the chaos particularly the legitimacy of flagbearers who were “fraudulently declared.”
Addressing demands for Dr. Tanga Odoi to reverse the controversial outcomes, Museveni said the party’s legal team had advised against it.
“Our lawyers have advised that Tanga Odoi cannot be the one who corrects a mistake that he made. It is the lawyers’ committee (the Tribunal), that will deal with politics and the Law,” Museveni stated, making it clear that the responsibility now lies with the party’s legal structures not the Electoral Commission chairperson.
The President questioned how such manipulation could happen under a system where voting was done transparently, by lining up in broad daylight.
“Remember, the voting was by lining up, during the day and everybody saw the results. How does anybody change that, other than making oneself a fool?” Museveni remarked pointedly.
His remarks come amid mounting pressure from disgruntled NRM members, many of whom accuse Odoi of presiding over a flawed and compromised process.
Still, Museveni sought to reassure the aggrieved, promising that their concerns were being handled through proper legal channels.
“Those affected by the mistakes of the mistake-makers should know that their grievances are already being addressed. Everything will be rectified. It is just the facts and evidence that will conclude the matter,” he said.
