Published on 24/07/2025
The Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, has rallied Ugandans, especially the Bazzukulu, to turn up in large numbers and actively participate in Thursday’s NRM primaries for LCV and Division Chairpersons, while issuing stern warnings against electoral malpractice.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday, July 23, from the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) in Kyambogo, Namyalo, who is fondly referred to as Chief Muzzukulu, emphasized that true leadership must reflect the people’s will, not the manipulation of powerful interests.
“Leadership belongs to the people. When someone is elected peacefully and fairly, don’t alter the outcome because someone has paid you. Let the people’s voices be respected,” Hajjat said.
The ONC boss also sounded the alarm over reports alleging interference by some NRM Electoral Commission (EC) officials claiming to be acting on “orders from above”, an assertion she outright rejected after consulting President Museveni.
“I personally spoke to the President about these allegations and he denied issuing any such directives. He is very clear on ensuring transparency in our party processes,” she added.
Hajjat also appealed to security agencies to uphold law and order while respecting Ugandans’ constitutional right to vote freely. She warned that individuals involved in rigging, intimidation, or disruption of the electoral process would face full legal consequences.
“Anyone who attempts to alter results or cause chaos will be dealt with according to the law. This is not the time for games, it’s a time to build democracy,” she stated firmly.
Hajjat’s remarks echoed a strongly worded statement by President Yoweri Museveni, who earlier this week condemned irregularities that marred the NRM parliamentary primaries held on July 17.
Using his official X (formerly Twitter) account, the President lauded the turnout of 9.22 million participants, roughly 50% of the party’s registered 18.5 million members, but expressed “grave concern” over widespread reports of irregularities.
“I must condemn, in the strongest terms, what I started hearing in some areas where some unpatriotic actors are alleged to have committed mistakes, including: altering results, tampering with registers, using violence that caused deaths and injuries, and bribing voters,” Museveni said.
The President further warned that these acts not only betray the party’s values but also erode national unity and the legitimacy of elected leaders, assuring that all culprits will be held accountable, especially those implicated in rigging or vote alteration.
“Leadership is not for decoration. It is for addressing issues that can be changed or improved. Those who want to lead must be ready to solve problems and not create more,” Museveni stressed.
The LC primaries due today (Thursday) are being closely watched amid rising tension in several districts and mounting scrutiny from both NRM internal observers and security agencies.
