According to Nivo News, a senior presidential aide to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Yiga Wamala, has ignited widespread controversy after openly declaring that the long-serving leader would not relinquish power through the ballot, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming general election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a video that has since gone viral, Wamala dismissed the significance of voters remaining at polling units, insisting that citizens and party agents would play no role in counting votes. He claimed that ballots would be processed exclusively by machines, rendering the presence of voters and observers unnecessary.

Wamala further asserted that voters would not witness the counting of ballots, maintaining that the process would be handled electronically and away from public scrutiny. He also suggested that access to collation centres would be tightly restricted, with only a handful of individuals, including candidates, allowed to be present.

The presidential aide categorically ruled out the possibility of an opposition victory, particularly referencing leading opposition figure Bobi Wine. He openly declared that there was no scenario under which the opposition would be announced as winners of the election.

Reinforcing his remarks, Wamala stated that President Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for more than three decades, would retain power, urging voters not to believe that the president could lose through the voting process. He added that the ruling establishment was fully confident of victory and advised citizens not to waste their time expecting a different outcome.

Beyond defending the current administration, Wamala also hinted at a potential family succession plan, suggesting that Museveni’s son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces, was positioned to assume leadership after his father. He implied that power would remain within the same political structure even after Museveni’s tenure.

President Museveni, now 81, is seeking a seventh term in office, having first taken power in 1986. While his early years in office were marked by promises of reform following years of instability, his prolonged rule has drawn increasing criticism over allegations of corruption, shrinking democratic space and rising authoritarian tendencies.