JINJA: Former Kagoma county legislator and Ex-Busoga University Vice Chancellor, Dr. Frank Nabwiso has said president Museveni may end up competing with his son in the 2026 general elections
Speaking at a district stakeholder’s consultation meeting on constitutional and political reforms organized by the First African Bicycle Information Organization (FABIO), Dr Nabwiso said it is only the duo that are already busy crisscrossing the country campaigning against each other for the top seat.
In his remarks, Dr. Nabwiso noted that there are few options in our country to prevent more political despondency, adding that Ugandans have to continue searching for other options. As of now, only two people have shown interest for presidential seat in January 2026.
“It’s as if Uganda is their “ping-pong” ball. Museveni was nominated by his NRM party two years back at Nyoya hotel, while Muhoozi described NRM on December 2, 2022 as the most reactionary organization in the country,” he added.
Dr Nabwiso is also convinced that president Museveni will never accept any major electoral reforms in his life-time presidential ambitions.
The professor noted “No opposition party has nominated its candidate, and it’s obvious that Mr. Museveni has already started his presidential campaigns through his tours to Uganda’s subregions. It’s also unlikely that he will accept any major electoral reforms in his life-time presidential ambitions.”
Ms Joy Kawanguzi, FABIO Executive Director, says they conducted community consultations in 36 villages in Jinja on political, legal and constitutional reforms as they aimed at strengthening citizen’s engagement in elections.
“Locals recommended that; corrupt politicians should be banned from participating in electoral processes, secret ballots for LC1 elections, reducing number of legislators, president and other incumbents’ hand over power to judges before participating in elections as well as re-instating term limits for at least two terms among others including Uganda going back to a single party system.
“We want to have a regional engagement that will go beyond this level. We are looking forward to engaging members of Parliament to ensure these issues are tabled in Parliament,” said Kawanguzi.
She also revealed that the move is not only done in Busoga but also in all regions and issues are the same.
To which Dr Nabwiso responded; “the current opposition parliamentarians, media and other pro-democracy activists should keep reminding Ugandans of the need to return presidential term and age limits, removal of presidential powers to appoint chief justice and members of electoral commission from the constitution.”
He urged that, Mr. Muhoozi and other opposition presidential candidates should highlight their campaigns that they will amend the constitution to fulfill the age and term limits.
Deo Natukunda, the Kiira region (Busoga) election officer, welcomed the reforms proposed by locals, saying electoral commission goes by law as prescribed by Parliament of Uganda.
Natukunda condemned voter bribery and vote rigging and described it as a crime. He revealed that electoral commission has also suggested reforms including raising the bar on academic qualifications for political and polling officials.
“Raising the bar on academic qualifications for members of Parliament and other political leaders (like degree holders) and S.4 for LC3 and councilors. Even polling officials especially presiding officers to S.6, diploma or degree, by advising for enactment in the existing law,” Natukunda added.
Ms. Betty Enangu, the Busoga region Human Rights officer, asserted that voter bribery and vote rigging is the order of the day in elections. She cited the recently 2021 general elections where such practices were registered.
“When I look at our annual reports as Uganda Human Rights Commission and the issues raised by locals, they are totally the same and I agree with them,” said Ms Enangu. She concluded by requesting a multiparty system in Uganda because of its advantages of checking the government at all levels and all in aspects.
However, Richard Gulume Balyainho, the Jinja District Resident Commissioner (RDC), argued that the emergency of new districts and constituencies are caused by locals who task the president to create them.
“Most of the times, the community asks president Museveni to divide districts. Since our president is a good listener, he also makes it happen,” said Gulume.
Currently, Bugweri district with about 193,000 population is seeking to be divided into three constituencies.
