Kampala, Uganda: President Museveni has openly questioned the low voter turnout among National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporters in the 2026 general elections, demanding to know why the party’s estimated 18.5 million eligible voters failed to fully translate into votes.
In a detailed post-election letter addressed to Ugandans, Museveni said the NRM has 21 million registered members, of whom 18.5 million are old enough to vote, yet turnout figures did not reflect that numerical strength.
“Why do the 18.5 million voters of the NRM not bother to register to vote or even when they are registered do not come to vote?” Museveni asked.
The President blamed what he described as “Naija-kulya” (self-seeking) leaders within both the ruling party and the opposition for frustrating supporters and discouraging participation.
He said some NRM officials failed to engage members closely during primaries and instead resorted to violence and unfair practices, which angered grassroots supporters and contributed to the rise of independent candidates defeating official flag bearers.
“The NRM side does not interact closely with our members. During primaries they use violence and unfair practices which annoy our members,” Museveni noted.
He warned party cadres to reconnect with the grassroots, remain honest with supporters and eliminate internal weaknesses that could undermine future performance.
Allegations of Election Manipulation
Museveni also accused sections of the opposition, particularly the National Unity Platform, of engaging in ballot malpractice and intimidation.
He alleged that in 2021, NUP infiltrated 2.7 million votes into ballot boxes in Buganda and Busoga, and claimed similar schemes were attempted in the 2026 polls.
The President further defended the use of Biometric Voter Verification (BVV) machines, arguing that where properly managed, they curtailed electoral cheating.
Despite concerns over turnout, Museveni maintained that the NRM remains the dominant political force in Uganda, citing what he described as transformative gains in agriculture, infrastructure, immunisation and poverty alleviation programs such as NAADS, Operation Wealth Creation, Emyooga and the Parish Development Model.
He argued that if all NRM members voted, the party would command up to 88% support nationwide.
Museveni concluded by urging reconciliation, discipline and focus on addressing mass issues such as corruption, drug shortages in health centres, poor feeder roads and challenges in Universal Primary Education.
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