Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Nathan Nandala Mafabi has dismissed the January 15 presidential election results, alleging widespread irregularities under the watch of the Electoral Commission (EC).
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday at Mountain Inn Hotel in Mbale City, Nandala, who came third, called the election a selection process, accusing the EC of facilitating vote rigging for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Yoweri Museveni.
Final results announced by the EC declared incumbent President Museveni the winner with 7,946,772 votes, or 71.65 percent, securing a seventh term.
Robert Kyagulanyi, commonly known as Bobi Wine, of the National Unity Platform (NUP) came second with 2,741,238 votes (24.72 percent), while Nandala received 209,039 votes (1.88 percent).
Mugisha Muntu of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) got 59,276 votes (0.53 percent). Other candidates included Frank Bulira Kabinga (RPP) with 45,959 votes, Robert Kasibante (National Peasants Party) with 33,440 votes, Mubarak Munyagwa Sserunga (Common Man’s Party) with 31,666 votes, and Elton Joseph Mabirizi (Conservative Party) with 23,458 votes.
‘We don’t accept the outcomes of that election. The EC should be disbanded and reconstituted,’ Nandala said, displaying NRM circulars allegedly instructing voter bribery.
He cited shooting and arresting of opposition supporters, internet shutdowns, direct voter inducements, and military interference in marking ballots for NRM as evidence of a flawed process.
Accompanied by FDC national chairman Jack Sabiiti, party president Patrick Oboi Amuriat, MPs, and other party members, Nandala also criticized the EC’s refusal to implement electoral reforms recommended after the 2016 elections, including the Supreme Court ruling following Amama Mbabazi’s challenge.
‘Ugandans should prepare for high inflation, rising living costs, higher taxes, and increased crime due to money spent in this election,’ Nandala warned.
He also criticized the judiciary for recent vote recounts in Masaka, calling them staged in favor of NRM candidates.
‘Opposition candidates are not granted the opportunity for recounts, while incompetent magistrates conduct them only in favor of NRM,’ he said.
Amuriat praised Nandala’s manifesto, saying it could have driven Uganda forward, and promised a comprehensive party report to ‘rewrite the history of Uganda.’
He urged the international community and election observer missions to engage in genuine discussions to strengthen democracy.
‘This was a great shame to our nation, and I am sure President Museveni will not be proud of this 72 percent victory,’ he said.
Sabiiti added that FDC will determine its participation in future elections after its national delegate’s conference and executive committee meetings.
‘As for now, the question is whether we should contest again. The party will decide after internal consultations,’ he noted without revealing the exact dates for the said conference.
Nandala joins at least five other candidates who have rejected the presidential vote outcome, including Robert Kasibante, who is challenging it in court.
Former military chief Gen. Mugisha Muntu ruled out a legal challenge, citing a lack of evidence, while Bobi Wine said the masses would have to respond to what he described as an illegal EC tally. Other candidates have remained silent, and none has openly conceded to Museveni.