President Yoweri Museveni has alleged that groups of National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters planned to attack polling stations using pangas after losing the 2026 general election.
Speaking during his maiden address at his country home in Rwakitura after being declared winner of the presidential election, Museveni said intelligence about the planned violence was provided by members of the opposition themselves.
“Unfortunately, some in the opposition are wrong, but not terrorists. However, some are wrong and also terrorists,” Museveni said. “In Butambala, Kivumbi was defeated, and the plan everywhere was that where NUP lost, gangs armed with pangas would attack polling stations. This was attempted when Kivumbi was defeated, and seven of them were shot dead.”
The President-elect said the attackers were unsuccessful because some of their colleagues had earlier disclosed the plans to him.
“Unluckily for them, some of their members had met me two days earlier and spilled the beans,” Museveni said, adding that the individuals met him at Nakasero State Lodge.
Museveni accused NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu and his supporters of failing to understand Uganda’s political history.
“The problem with this group of traitors like Kyagulanyi is that they do not understand that Uganda is a land of martyrs,” he said. “They were planning to do this across the country, but I already knew the plan.”
According to Museveni, the intention was to unleash violence in areas where NUP candidates lost.
“The plan was that where they did not win, they would cut people. But we were ready to deal with them decisively,” he said. “Many of the people who were supposed to carry out these acts came and met me. This is not the first time. Even during riots in Kenya some years ago, similar plans were made here, and the people involved came and briefed me.”
Museveni warned that such acts of violence would not be tolerated, while commending security agencies and members of the public for their vigilance.
“I ask the confused people to return to sanity because everything they were planning, we already knew,” he said. “The remnants should stop, or else we shall deal with all of them if they do not.”
