A top aide to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Yiga Wamala, has ignited controversy after asserting that the long-standing leader would not lose power through elections.
Wamala, serving as a Senior Presidential Adviser, made the remarks ahead of Thursday’s election, in which Museveni is seeking a seventh term in office. Museveni has maintained power in Uganda since 1986.
In a video circulating widely on social media, Wamala appeared to downplay the importance of voters remaining at polling units, claiming that ballots would not be counted by citizens or party agents.
He also hinted that President Museveni’s son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who currently serves as Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, is being positioned to succeed his father.
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“You will not see even the votes you are going to count.
“If you are still crying for Museveni, Muhoozi Kainerugaba is coming also after Museveni. Are you going to kill each other? You shout and shout,” Wamala said.
He added that voters should cast their ballots and leave the polling stations immediately, insisting that they would not participate in the vote-counting process.
The remarks have sparked a wave of reactions online, with critics condemning them as an attack on democratic principles, while supporters of the ruling establishment have defended Wamala’s statements.