The Treasurer of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Counsel Benjamin Katana, has raised fresh concerns over the integrity of the electoral process, warning that the country is drifting toward a system where citizens are deprived of genuine choice at the ballot.
Speaking during NBS Morning Breeze on Monday, Katana said elections should fundamentally allow citizens to freely consent to their leaders.
He argued that where freedom of choice is undermined, electoral outcomes cannot be said to reflect the will of the people.
“Elections generally should be an opportunity for citizens in a particular electoral area to give free consent to their leaders. When you take away the freedom to choose, you cannot say that the person who has been voted for was voted with the consent of the people,” he said.
Katana acknowledged that vote recounts are legally provided for, but cautioned that the process is increasingly being misused to overturn outcomes that reflect popular will.
“A vote recount is a right under the law. However, there is an attempt to abuse such a right to defeat the will of the people,” he said.
Katana further warned of what he described as a dangerous trajectory for Uganda’s democracy.
“We are moving towards a direction where we are likely to have only one candidate on the ballot paper, where citizens either choose that person or nobody,” he said.
Following the general presidential and parliamentary elections which were held nationwide on January 15, 2026, NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has publicly rejected the results, describing them as “fake” and alleging ballot stuffing, though he has not provided specific evidence to substantiate the claims.
On January 16, 2026, Kyagulanyi reportedly left his residence in Magere and went into hiding, citing a military raid on his home and expressing fears for his personal safety. Since then, he has continued to issue regular updates to supporters via social media, maintaining that he is being targeted by state security agencies. However, government officials have consistently denied these allegations stating no one is looking for him.
Kyagulanyi has stated that he will not challenge the outcome in court, citing a lack of confidence in the judiciary. Instead, he has called on his supporters to engage in peaceful street protests to express their dissatisfaction with the electoral process.
According to the official results released by the Electoral Commission, incumbent President Museveni of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) was declared the winner after securing 7,946,772 votes, representing 71.65 percent of the total valid votes cast. Kyagulanyi garnered 2,741,238 votes, accounting for 24.72 percent.
This is not the first time Kyagulanyi has disputed presidential election results. Following the 2021 elections, he filed a petition challenging Museveni’s victory but later withdrew it, citing alleged bias and lack of impartiality within the courts.
Despite Kyagulanyi’s decision not to seek judicial redress, former National Peasants Party (NPP) presidential candidate Robert Kasibante did petition the Supreme Court to nullify Museveni’s victory.
Kasibante, who finished sixth in the election with 33,440 votes (0.30 percent), alleges widespread electoral malpractices, including violence, misuse of state resources, irregularities in the voters’ register, and undue influence over the Electoral Commission.
In response, President Museveni filed an answer and supporting affidavit sworn on January 25, 2026, urging the Supreme Court to dismiss the petition. He argues that the petition discloses no valid complaint under Article 104 of the Constitution and the Presidential Elections Act.
Museveni maintains that the elections were conducted in full compliance with the
Constitution and electoral laws, asserting that any irregularities did not substantially affect the final outcome. He denies committing or authorising any electoral offences and rejects claims of influencing the Electoral Commission, insisting that it independently managed the electoral process.
The President also refuted allegations of election-related violence, intimidation, misuse of state resources, bribery, or inducement.
He stated that security agencies acted impartially to maintain law and order and that all campaign resources used were lawful. Museveni further defended the integrity of the voters’ register and biometric verification systems, noting that lawful alternatives were in place to prevent disenfranchisement.
Additionally, he argued that several of the petitioner’s claims fall outside the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court or lack sufficient detail to warrant judicial intervention.
Consequently, Museveni has asked the court to dismiss the petition with costs, insisting that his victory reflected “the free and lawful will of the Ugandan electorate.”