Yiga Wamala, a Senior Presidential Adviser to Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, has sparked controversy after declaring that the country’s long-serving leader would not lose power through the ballot.
In a viral video that has attracted significant attention, Wamala dismissed the importance of citizens remaining at polling stations during elections, claiming that votes would not be counted by voters or party agents.
Wamala, in the video, said voters would have no role in counting the votes, stressing that machines would be responsible for the counting process.
“We don’t have a mandate to remain at the polling station, you’ll be there like dormant people. Vote and go home. You will not count the votes,” Wamala said, dismissing the notion that election observers had any role in the process.
He further stated that voters would not see the ballots being counted, claiming, “You will not see even the votes you are going to count. Their machines are going to count the votes. So what are you going to keep watching?”
Wamala also suggested that only a small number of individuals would be allowed at the collation centres, stating, “For us, we shall vote and remain there and vote. What are you going to protect? At the Tariff Centre, we shall only allow two people. The candidate and the other two people.”
The presidential aide openly ruled out the possibility of an opposition victory, particularly referring to Bobi Wine, the main opposition candidate.
“Don’t even think for a day that we are going to announce Bobi Wine as the winner,” Wamala declared.
He further insisted that President Museveni, who has been in power for over three decades, would retain control, stating, “President Museveni, who is on the chair, will still remain in the chair.”
Wamala emphasised that the ruling government was confident of victory, telling voters, “Never think on that day that Museveni will lose his power by voting. No. Don’t waste your time.”
Wamala, however, did not stop at defending the current regime, hinting at a family succession plan. He suggested that Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Museveni’s 51-year-old son and Chief of Defence Forces, was set to take over the presidency after his father.
“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.
President Museveni, 81, is seeking a seventh term in office in the upcoming election, having first seized power in 1986. Since then, Museveni has been the only leader most Ugandans have known.
Despite initially rising to power through armed insurgency, promising a break from autocratic rule, his presidency has been marked by growing criticism. Persistent allegations of corruption, shrinking civic space, and increasing authoritarianism have eroded the early optimism surrounding his rule.