Yiga Wamala, a Senior Presidential Adviser to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, has ignited debate after asserting that the long-serving leader would not be removed from office through the ballot.
In a video that has gone viral, Wamala dismissed the need for citizens to remain at polling stations during elections, claiming that voters and party agents would not participate in counting the ballots.
“We don’t have a mandate to stay at the polling station. Vote and go home. You will not count the votes,” Wamala said, stressing that machines, not voters, would tally the results.
He further stated that ballots would not be visible to the public during counting. “You will not even see the votes being counted. Their machines are doing the work. What is the point of watching?” he added.
Wamala indicated that only a select few would be permitted at collation centres. “At the Tariff Centre, only two people will be allowed—the candidate and two others,” he said.
The adviser also dismissed any chance of an opposition victory, particularly targeting Bobi Wine, the main opposition candidate.
“Don’t even think for a day that we will declare Bobi Wine as the winner,” Wamala declared, reiterating that Museveni, who has been in power for more than three decades, would retain control. “President Museveni, who is on the chair, will still remain in the chair.”
Wamala claimed the ruling government was confident of victory and told voters, “Never think that Museveni will lose power through voting. No. Don’t waste your time.”
He also alluded to a succession plan involving Museveni’s son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the 51-year-old Chief of Defence Forces, suggesting he may assume the presidency after his father.
“If you are still worried about Museveni, Muhoozi Kainerugaba will come after him. Are you going to fight each other? You shout and shout,” Wamala said.
President Museveni, 81, is seeking a seventh term in office in the upcoming election. Having first seized power in 1986, Museveni has been the only leader most Ugandans have ever known.
While initially rising through armed insurgency with promises of reform, his tenure has increasingly faced criticism. Allegations of corruption, shrinking civic freedoms, and rising authoritarianism have overshadowed the early optimism surrounding his leadership.
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