Museveni: "I repeat, I have never sent my relatives to contest for elections, not even Janet"
As NRM reels from the aftermath of the chaotic primaries, President Museveni has maintained that he has never supported the idea of close relatives engaging in elections, including the decision by Janet Museveni to contest in Ruhaama in 2006.
In a letter to NRM electoral commission chairperson, Dr Tanga Odoi about his personal investigations on election violence in the districts of Isingiro, Sembabule, Kiruhuura and Kazo, Museveni said that no one should use his name for political gain.
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"I have never sent any of those relatives to contest in those areas or anywhere; nor did they even consult me.," he wrote in the letter dated September 15, 2020.
A number of Museveni's close relatives have squared off in the NRM primaries. In Mawogola North, Museveni's brother Sodo Aine Kaguta is standing against Shartsi Kutesa, the daughter of Sam Kutesa and a twin sister to the wife of Lt Gen Kainerugaba Muhoozi, the first son.
Museveni spoke about opposing Janet's decision to join electoral politics in 2006.
"I even opposed Maama Janet when she went to stand in Ruhaama. It was only when a huge delegation of elders from Ruhaama invaded me at Rwakitura, in support of her candidature that i relented..."
Museveni later appointed his wife to cabinet where she currently serves as minister of Education and Sports.
Quoting the book of Matthew in the Bible, Museveni said his relative is that one who follows the principles of NRM.
He quoted Matthew 12:46-50 as thus: "While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You. But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”
In the letter, Museveni says his investigations so far reveal that there were widespread election malpractices in some of those areas.
For instance he writes that in Bukaanga, Isingiro where one of his relative Steven Kangwagye stood against Dr Moses Mpairwe, Museveni's team confirmed that his challenger Mpairwe was leading in 111 villages where voting took place.
Voting however did not take place in 26 villages in Bukaanga. Museveni said all those who perpetrate violence should be apprehended.
"By copy of this letter, the IGP is directed to identify all those criminals that took part in these forgeries fro criminal prosecution...the NRM secretariat should work with DPCs, RDCs etc to carry out audit in all areas of dispute to expose the frauds," Museveni wrote.
