Former Minister Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja, has cried out to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to intervene and institute investigations into alleged electoral irregularities that marred the Kalungu East Constituency parliamentary elections held on January 15, 2026.
Hon. Ssempijja claims that widespread vote rigging, voter intimidation, and violence discouraged many voters—particularly supporters of the National Resistance Movement (NRM)—from fully participating in the polls.
According to Ssempijja, the electoral process conducted by the Electoral Commission, chaired by Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, was deeply flawed. He says that despite overwhelming support for both President Museveni and his own candidature, the Commission controversially declared his opponent, Mr. Kiruuta Yusuf Nkerettanyi, the winner.
“We know for certain, based on clear indicators, that we did not lose realistically. The situation was so bad that if the process had been free and fair, the people would have accepted the results,” Ssempijja said.
“We were harassed, rigged, and intimidated. We are already receiving reports, and tomorrow (Thursday) we shall announce our next course of action.”
A seasoned politician, farmer, and businessman, Hon. Ssempijja previously served as Masaka District Chairperson and is widely remembered for reviving the Masaka Cooperative Union, which brought farmers together to improve agricultural production and marketing. He also served as patron of Masaka Local Council Football Club in 2005 before its eventual collapse.
Ssempijja cited specific incidents, including alleged mishandling of ballot materials.
“The biometric machines were meant to ensure transparency. However, in Bukulula, a presiding officer was reportedly caught taking away a packet of ballot papers and was arrested,” he said.
He further alleged that NRM supporters were violently targeted during the voting exercise.
“Our people were intimidated, harassed, and many went into hiding on polling day. Armed individuals were seen threatening voters, and two people were reportedly killed during the election process,” he added.
Ssempijja maintained that all available indicators point to massive ballot stuffing and electoral malpractice, insisting that he did not lose the election honorably. He said consultations are ongoing to gather evidence before announcing a formal position.
He also questioned the source and accountability of ballot papers used in the election.
“We must establish where the Electoral Commission registrar obtained the ballot papers. This matter requires deeper investigation, and we believe the President himself should intervene,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ms. Helen Nakeeya, the NRM flag bearer for Kalungu District Woman Member of Parliament, who lost to Hon. Aisha Ssekindi, an Independent candidate, echoed similar concerns. Nakeeya alleged that security agencies were used to intimidate voters and suppress NRM support.
“Many of my voters were intimidated. We lost two children—my known supporters—who were brutally killed by people linked to my opponent’s political camp. We have evidence that they were backed by Hon. Ssekindi,” Nakeeya alleged during a press conference.
For context, President Museveni reportedly garnered 41% of the vote in Kalungu District. According to Nakeeya, the President’s vote tally would have been significantly higher had voter intimidation not occurred.
Nakeeya further accused Ssekindi of political duplicity.
“I officially obtained the NRM party card and participated in the primaries. Hon. Ssekindi did not. Yet she claims to be NRM while contesting against me. We have evidence showing she supported opposition candidates while presenting herself to the President as part of the NRM family,” Nakeeya said.
Adding his voice, Mr. Quraish Kirumira, the Kalungu District Youth Chairperson, appealed to President Museveni to publicly distance himself from Hon. Ssekindi.
“She has consistently frustrated NRM supporters in Kalungu. Her indiscipline and selfish leadership have caused division, and we ask the President to disown her actions,” Kirumira said.
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