According to Kyagulanyi, the deployment of police’s Crime Intelligence boss Christopher Ddamulira to Kampala’s informal settlements with large sums of money did not yield the support Museveni expected.

The National Unity Platform (NUP) president, Robert Kyagulanyi, has dismissed claims by President Museveni that NRM candidate was rigged out in Kawempe North, calling them a desperate attempt to justify electoral losses despite state-sponsored intimidation and manipulation.

In a statement shared on his social media platforms, Kyagulanyi, who is also known as Bobi Wine, described the NRM’s allegations as ironic, given the widespread reports of election irregularities perpetrated by state agents in favor of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

“The same shameless despot who abducted our agents and supporters, beat up our people, spent days bribing voters, deployed military armored vehicles inside polling stations, and altered Declaration of Results (DR) forms to increase his votes—now claims that he was rigged?” Kyagulanyi wrote.

He further alleged that Museveni’s recent efforts to woo urban voters, particularly in Kampala’s ghettos, had failed despite heavy financial investment.

According to Kyagulanyi, the deployment of police’s Crime Intelligence boss Christopher Ddamulira to Kampala’s informal settlements with large sums of money did not yield the support Museveni expected.

“He is very surprised that despite spending billions on all these and other efforts, the people of Uganda have continued to reject him flat,” Kyagulanyi stated.

The NUP leader also dismissed Museveni’s past claims that the opposition rigged one million votes in the 2021 general elections. He reiterated his challenge for an independent audit of the election, a request he says the president has never responded to.

Kyagulanyi’s comments come at the wake of revelation by the ruling party that they challenging the results of Kawempe North by election in which Nup candidate Elias Nalukoola was declared a winner

“The party totally rejects the results of the Kawempe North Constituency that was declared by the Electoral Commission,’ said NRM secretary general Richard Todwong in a press conference held at the party headquarters in Kampala.

“The party instructs its lawyers to immediately challenge the results of by-elections in courts of law,” he added,” he added.

The Party highlighted acts of violence that were reported in the several polling stations within Kawempe North constituency were carried out by supporters and sympathisers of NUP political party.

They also pointed at cancellation of the election results from several polling stations by the election commission which they say disenfranchised about fifty thousand (50,000) registered voters from exercising their democratic rights.

“The party calls upon the Government to carry out a forensic audit to bring all the culprits who participated and messed up the election to book as soon as possible,” said Todwong.

The High Court in Kampala has fixed April 11th to decide on the bail application filed by Opposition Politician Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co accused Hajji  Obeid Lutaale Kamulegeya.

Besigye and Lutaale were brought to court on Friday from Luzira prison, where they have been for more than three months and appeared before the Criminal Division Lady Justice Rosette Kania  Comfort.

The Judge directed that both Besigye’s lawyers and the prosecutors should file their written submissions with the court not later than March 31st to deliver her decision on the date she has fixed.

Justice Kania had fixed the bail application to be heard today, but the Prosecution, through  Chief State Attorneys Richard Birivumbuka and Joseph Kyomuhendo, told the Court that they were not ready to proceed.

Birivumbuka told the Judge that they were served with many affidavits in support of Besigye’s case, which he said raised serious matters, and they thus want more time to respond to them.  The court heard that the two prosecutors have many other cases to handle next week in the International Crimes Division of the High Court, and thus, the prosecutors asked for a little bit more time to do verification of the sureties by Besigye and Lutaale.

Birivumbuka and Kyomuhendo had earlier asked to be given 2 weeks so that they could prepare to represent the interests of their employer, but Justice Kania found that time so enormous and instead ordered that they file their response by Wednesday next week.

However, she ordered that the applicants who were represented by a team of lawyers led by Ernest Kalibala and Erias Lukwago should go ahead to present the sureties for their clients.

As a result, Besigye has presented his longtime friends and legislators   Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda,  the Kira Municipality MP, Muhindo Tonny  Bukonzo East County representative,  Francis Mwijukye MP Buhweju County, and Nicholas Kamara, the Kabaale Municipality legislator.

Court has further heard that Hajji Obeid  Lutale has his wife Halima Nagitta, his brother Ssewankabo Hamza and his daughter Nanfuka Zura as his surities.

All the suritiets have been explained their responsibilities by court including ensuring that the applicants if granted bail should return to court and also ne ready to forfeit their bail bonds or be sentenced to civil prison if Dr. Besigye and Hajji Lutale abscond.

The two men have been in prison since 16th  November 2023 and are now charged with Treason, where the prosecution alleges that they connived with a UPDF captain, Dennis Oola, to avert acts to overthrow the government of UGANDA.

Besigye and Lutaale have been returned to jail until then as their lawyers proceed to Nakawa Chief Magistrates court to hear an application on with the state seeks to have access to their mobile phones.

Dr. Kizza Besigye and Obeid Lutaale say in their application that they have been in prison for over 100 days, uncertain when investigations will conclude and when their trial will commence.

Despite this, Besigye assured the court that, as a law-abiding citizen, he will not commit any offenses while on bail. He attached documents to show how he has been returning to Court as and when needed after grant of bail on several occasions as proof that he cannot abscond from trial.

Besigye highlights his impeccable record, stating, “I have never committed any offense or been convicted in respect of any of the numerous charges that have been brought against me.” He notes that over the years, he has faced various grave charges, including rape, treason, and terrorism, as well as many minor offenses, without a single conviction.

Lutaale, on the other hand, argues that he has a fixed place of board within the jurisdiction of the High Court.

Besigye and Lutaale argue that they have permanent places of abode at Buyinja LCI Wampeewo Ward Kasangati Town Council Wakiso District and Rwakabengo A Rwakabengo Ward Southern Division Rukungiri Municipality in Rukungiri District for Besigye and Kisigula Village Cell Mutundwe Ward Gombolola Ssabagabo Makindye Wakiso District for Lutaale.

Besigye says he understands the purpose of bail and has consistently adhered to its conditions.  He cites his experience during the 2006 General Elections, when he was released on bail and abided by all conditions while undergoing a rigorous campaign schedule.

Besigye argues that in November 2005,  he was maliciously charged with treason and rape. He says he was granted bail and abided by the conditions until his acquittal on the rape charge after a hearing of the prosecution evidence. Beside, even when he had very busy election campaigns in 20026, he made sure he continued to report for court as part of the bail terms.

After participating in the 2016 general elections, Besigye says he was again charged with treason on May 13, 2016, at the Chief Magistrates Court in Moroto. He was arrested, taken to Moroto, and later charged again with the same offense at Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court. Besigye applied for bail on June 7, 2016, and was granted bail on July 12, 2016. He abided by the conditions set until the offense was withdrawn by the State in 2019 without notification to him. This is according to Besigye’s evidence before the Criminal Division of the High Court supporting his bail application.

Besigye also notes that, apart from the capital offenses, he has been maliciously charged in various Magistrates Courts in Uganda since 2005. However, he has consistently abided by all bail conditions set and appeared before the courts as required.

Both Besigye and Lutaale informed the court that they have many substantial individuals willing to stand as sureties for them. Besigye filed a voluminous 79-page application detailing his history of compliance with the law and his commitment to not tampering with the case upon release.

The Prosecution has not yet filed its response to the bail application.

Besigye and Lutaale are jointly charged with UPDF officer Captain Denis Oola, and they were recently remanded until March 28th 2025, as investigations into charges of treason and misprison of treason continue.

The Prosecutors allege that the trio, while in various cities including   Geneva, Switzerland,  Athens in Greece, Nairobi in Kenya and Kampala in Uganda, solicited for firearms, logistical and financial support and attended meetings with intentions to overthrow the current government of Uganda.

However, Besigye and Lutaale argue that they should be released from prison since the Supreme Court’s decision nullified the military court’s power to try them. They had been charged in Makindye Military Court before the DPP took over proceedings and levied fresh charges against them following their initial arrest from neighbouring Nairobi, Kenya.

The recently concluded Kawempe North by-election, decisively won by National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Nalukoola Luyimbazi, marks a seismic shift in Uganda’s political landscape. Despite the National Resistance Movement (NRM) deploying its full political machinery, including a rare appearance by President Yoweri Museveni at the final rally, the people of Kawempe North sent a clear message—they are ready for change.

This election was not just a local contest; it was a reflection of Uganda’s growing discontent with a regime that has failed to evolve. The NRM’s reliance on intimidation, coercion, and outdated narratives only highlighted its disconnect from modern Uganda.

Same Questions, Different Answers

In 1986, Museveni and his group emerged from the bush, claiming to be liberators and promising a new dawn for Uganda. Nearly four decades later, the same questions about democracy, governance, and leadership persist—but the answers have changed.

Museveni’s speech in Kawempe North, where he revisited the 1980 elections and his decision to wage a guerrilla war, fell flat. For Uganda’s younger generation, who make up over 75% of the population, these stories are irrelevant. They were not part of the so-called liberation war and did not send anyone to fight it. What they demand now is clear:

✅ Jobs and economic empowerment
✅ Quality healthcare and education
✅ Good governance and respect for human rights
✅ A peaceful transition of power

The youth are not interested in history lessons. They want solutions to the challenges they face today.

What the By-Election Means for Uganda

NUP’s victory in Kawempe North is more than just a parliamentary win—it is a symbol of defiance against a regime that has consistently failed to listen. The youth, who form the backbone of Uganda’s population, are rejecting a leadership stuck in the past.

Museveni’s presence at the final NRM rally was meant to galvanize support for his party’s candidate. Instead, it underscored the generational gap between Uganda’s leadership and its electorate. The people have made it clear:

⚠️ They don’t want bush war stories
⚠️ They don’t want to be reminded of the 1980 elections
⚠️ They want leaders who represent their struggles today

The Dark Side of the By-Election: Intimidation and Violence

The Kawempe North by-election was marred by chaos and brutality. Armed state operatives descended on polling stations, beating up media teams and anyone seen holding a phone to record, take pictures, or even make a call. This heavy-handed approach raises serious questions—what are they trying to hide, and what don’t they want the world to see?

Journalists were harassed, and voters were intimidated, yet the people of Kawempe North stood firm. Their resilience in the face of such blatant oppression is a testament to their determination for change.

Lessons for Museveni and the NRM

1️⃣ The Bush War Narrative is Outdated
Ugandans are no longer swayed by tales of past victories. The “we fought” speech is not a development plan. Museveni must accept that his past achievements do not guarantee his future relevance.

2️⃣ The Demand for a Peaceful Transition is Growing
The election results reflect a national desire for political change. If the NRM does not initiate a peaceful transition, it risks being swept away by history.

3️⃣ The Power of the Youth Vote
The youth are active, engaged, and tired of being ignored. Any party that fails to adapt to their needs and aspirations is on borrowed time.

How Can This Message Reach Museveni?

Ugandans are already speaking—through the ballot box, on social media, and in the streets. The message is clear:

The people want change.

They reject the use of state power to cling to authority.

They seek a democratic and peaceful Uganda.

Museveni and his government must listen or risk further alienation from a nation that is tired of being ignored.

Voices from the Ground: Real Reactions from Real People

Following Nalukoola’s victory, the streets of Kawempe North erupted in celebration. Here’s what voters had to say:

Sarah Nakato, 28, Market Vendor
“This is a message to Museveni—we are done with history lessons. We want change. We want jobs, not stories about the bush war.”

John Ssebaggala, 32, Boda Boda Rider
“The youth have spoken. We want leaders who represent us, not those who keep telling us about 1986. NRM had all the money, but we had the power of the ballot. We are not for sale.”

Rita Namugerwa, 24, University Student
“They beat us, they intimidated us, but we stood our ground. This victory is for every young Ugandan who is tired of being silenced.”

David Kato, 35, Blogger.
“I was beaten for trying to record what was happening. But no amount of violence can hide the truth. The world needs to see what is happening in Uganda.”

Conclusion: A National Statement

The Kawempe North by-election was not just a local contest—it was a national statement. The people of Uganda are demanding change, and they are willing to fight for it. The sooner Museveni and the NRM accept this reality, the better for Uganda’s future.