PFF challenges NRM leaders, rallies supporters to fight for electoral integrity

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The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party has challenged members of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) to fight for electoral integrity ahead of the 2026 elections or perish with what it described as a highly fraudulent political system.

Following last Thursday’s NRM party primary elections, where several NRM politicians, including 11 ministers, lost their seats amid allegations of electoral violence, voter bribery, and intimidation, over 20 petitions have been filed with the party tribunal.

“I urge all NRM leaders and supporters to pressure President Yoweri Museveni to address issues of voter bribery, use of the army and resident district commissioners (RDCs) to influence elections, enforced disappearances, repression of dissent, and the release of political prisoners which poor human rights record has implicated on electoral integrity,” said PFF electoral commission chairperson Micheal Kabaziguruka.

While addressing a press conference at Plot 6 Katonga Road in Nakasero, Kampala, on Monday, July 21, the former Member of Parliament for Nakawa Division mocked senior NRM leaders (ministers) who lost and are now crying foul over electoral fraud witnessed during their primary elections.

“Result manipulation, register tampering, voter bribery, and planned violence by security agencies in connivance with other NRM candidates to cause alteration of results clearly indicates that there is no winner in a fraudulent system,” Kabaziguruka insisted.

He said such manipulation should have been easily traceable, since voting was done by lining up publicly behind candidates, yet this has not been the case.

The PFF electoral commission chairperson, Micheal Kabaziguruka handing nomination forms to Miriam Obeid Lutale at Katonga road PFF headquarters in Kampala on Monday.

“It was regrettable to see children lining up to vote with adults, allegations regarding the inflation of the registers in many areas, legitimate results swapped in favour of losing candidates, as well as election officials bribed to declare losing candidates as winners,” he claimed.

Never expect free and fair elections without electoral reforms implemented

Kabaziguruka, who had no kind words for electoral fraud, warned Ugandans to remain alert ahead of the 2026 general elections should the suggested Supreme Court electoral reforms remain unimplemented.

“Most of the people complaining now, including ministers, are the ones who have been persistently dismissing our demand for electoral integrity. They have been quiet or dismissive whenever we have demanded for the withdrawal of the military from partisan politics,” he insisted.

“In fact, they cemented this recently when they passed that UPDF amendment bill, but unless we have electoral reforms implemented ahead of 2026, expect no different results in Ugandan politics.”

“In its judgment, the panel of nine Supreme Court judges led by the Chief Justice Bart Katureebe directed the Attorney General to implement ten orders so as to improve electoral democracy in the country, but this remains to be seen,” he lamented.

Kabaziguruka concluded by calling on all patriotic citizens to fight for electoral integrity across political parties, regions, religions, and ethnicities, starting with the removal of the army from Uganda’s electoral processes.

In 2016, Supreme Court judges, while delivering their judgment in the Amama Mbabazi versus Museveni and two others presidential election petition, made key pronouncements about outstanding electoral reforms meant to guarantee free and fair elections.

These included extending the filing and determination period for presidential election petitions to 60 days to enable adequate preparation and presentation by both court and concerned parties, regulating public officials (especially the army) in elections, punishing media houses which deny equal airtime to presidential candidates, and the prohibition of donations during election periods, among others.

Among the ministers who lost included State Minister for Cooperatives (Bulamoji North), Fredrick Ngobi Gume; State Minister for Agriculture, Fred Bwino Kyakulaga (Kagulu County); State Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, David Bahati (Ndorwa West); State Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Godfrey Kabbyanga (Bukonzo West); State Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Musa Ecweru (Amuria); State Minister for Ethics and Integrity, Rose Lilly Okello (Karenga District Woman MP); and State Minister for Bunyoro Affairs, Jennifer Namuyangu.

Others included State Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, Peace Mutuuzo; State Minister for Primary Education, Dr Joyce Moriku Kaducu; and State Minister for Local Government, Victoria Rusoke Businge, representing Kabarole district.