A letter allegedly from the Electoral Commission (EC) to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has been circulating on social media, claiming the commission was involved in a vote-rigging scheme for the Kawempe North by-election.
However, a closer analysis reveals several inconsistencies in formatting, tone, and content, strongly indicating the document is fake.
Dated 11 March 2025 and supposedly signed by EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, the letter instructs the NRM Secretary General to collect 100 booklets of ballot papers from Tick Hotel in Kawempe. It further claims this effort aims to "reclaim Kawempe North from the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP)"—a statement that contradicts the EC’s role as an independent electoral body.
Irregularities in the Letter
Several inconsistencies expose the letter as inauthentic:
Formatting flaws – Inconsistent spacing, incorrect hyphenation of "by-election," and an unusual structure for an official government document.
Uncharacteristic tone – The directive to "arrive on time" and collect ballot papers "as soon as possible" is unusually imperative for EC communications, which are typically formal and measured.
Missing formalities – The absence of a proper salutation and closing further suggests it was not drafted by a professional administrative office.
Questionable Source and Election Chaos
The Kampala Journal, which first published the letter, has a history of spreading political misinformation. Before the election, the same source falsely claimed that some candidates had withdrawn from the race.
The fake letter surfaced amid a tense by-election, where NUP’s Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola won with 17,764 votes, defeating NRM’s Faridah Nambi Kigongo, who received 8,593 votes.
The election was marred by reports of violence, with security forces clashing with journalists and opposition supporters. At Kazo Angola polling station, ballot boxes were vandalised and set on fire, leading the EC to nullify results from the station. Journalists, polling agents, and voters were also assaulted, raising concerns over electoral transparency.
This incident highlights the growing challenge of misinformation in Uganda’s political landscape, particularly during elections.
Verdict: FALSE