Museveni warns defeated NRM candidates against betraying the party
By Luke Oluoch, November 21, 2025Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has sent a stern warning to candidates seeking to run as independent candidates after failing in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries ahead of the 2026 national elections.
Speaking to the national broadcaster on Friday, November 21, 2025, the president said the action amounted to betraying the party and disturbing voters.
Betrayal
“If you stand in a constituency where there is opposition or an opposition candidate is also running, you will split our votes, and that is betrayal. So if there is an opposition candidate there and you stand, that is betrayal,” he said.
“Where there is only our candidate, you are disturbing our voters and putting them under a test of loyalty between you and the other person,” he added.
In a move to quell possible disputes arising from the contested primaries, he implored the failed candidates to present evidence of malpractice for legal action.
“Our advice is if you can bring evidence quickly, the tribunal can help you cancel the results and do the needful,” he proposed.
Criminal offense
The 81-year-old president similarly voiced a tough warning that individuals found culpable of flouting election rules will face the consequences, even if elected to leadership positions.
“Altering results is a criminal offense. A person can go to jail if the evidence is clear. It does not matter if time has passed; even if one has been elected as an MP, they will be held accountable. My advice to the independents is not to donate the constituencies to the opposition,” he added.
The landlocked East African country is set to head to the polls in January 2026.
Museveni is set to face off against Ugandan pop star Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, in the presidential election.
The opposition leader from the National Unity Platform (NUP) party is the leading frontrunner expected to pose a challenge to the veteran incumbent.
Museveni will be seeking to extend his term to 2031.