KAMPALA — UGANDA
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) have strongly challenged President Yoweri Museveni’s reported 71 percent victory in the recent presidential election, citing widespread violence, voter intimidation, and alleged irregularities during the electoral process.
Addressing the media, Lukwago said the announced results do not reflect the will of the Ugandan people, arguing that the election was conducted in an environment of fear marked by heavy security deployment, arrests of opposition supporters, and reports of intimidation at polling stations across the country.
“The conditions under which this election was conducted were neither free nor fair, You cannot claim a credible outcome when voters were intimidated, opposition activities were violently disrupted, and basic democratic principles were ignored” Lukwago said.
The PFF further accused state agencies of playing a partisan role during the campaign and voting period, claiming this undermined the integrity of the electoral process. According to the party, incidents of violence and suppression were reported in several regions, discouraging voter participation and skewing the final outcome.
Lukwago has now called on the international community, including election observers and democratic institutions, to conduct an independent audit of the election results. He said an external review is necessary to establish the true outcome of the vote and to restore public confidence in Uganda’s electoral system.
“We are appealing to the international community not to turn a blind eye, an independent audit of the results is critical for accountability and for the future of democracy in Uganda.” Lukwago said. “
As of now, government officials have maintained that the election was conducted in accordance with the law and that the results announced by the Electoral Commission reflect the choice of the electorate.
The controversy adds to ongoing debates about electoral reforms in Uganda, with civil society groups and opposition leaders renewing calls for changes aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and respect for political freedoms ahead of future election.
