Former presidential Candidate Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi has said without the army and police involvement in Uganda’s elections, President Yoweri Museveni can not win him in an election.
The Kyadondo East legislator who is also the leader of the National Unity Platform, NUP party claims that he won President elect Museveni in the January 14 poll citing fraud and violence in the electoral process.
Mr Kyagulanyi challenged president Museveni to a re-election where they are only two on the ballot paper to prove how unpopular he had become among Ugandans.
“I challenge him (Gen Museveni) for a re-election without involvement of the army and police. With internet and a free media, I can win him,” Mr Kyagulanyi said.
Mr Kyagulanyi was addressing about 300 National Unity Platform elected leaders from Mukono South, North, Nakifuma and Mukono Municipality at his home In Magere, Wakiso district.
He urged elected leaders to remember the people who gave them the mandate through their votes to become leaders and agents of change in Uganda’s political space.
Mr. Kyagulanyi said he is not looking at his party leaders as those to be in the opposition but in government.
Already, Mukono Municipality Member of Parliament Betty Nambooze has secured interest to become the leader of government business if NUP becomes the next government after the judgment.
On February 1,2021, Mr. Kyagulanyi filed a petition with the Supreme Court challenging the victory of President Museveni voting fraud and non-compliance with electoral laws.
“I believe in the rule of law, that’s why I went to court. My belief in the courts does not mean that the courts are not going to be abused by Gen Museveni. I believe in democracy, that’s why I participated in the elections. My belief in democracy does not mean that democracy is not going to be disrespected by Museveni,” Mr Kyagulanyi told Daily Monitor on Monday from his home in Magere.
The Electoral Commission on January 16, 2021 announced President Museveni as winner of the January 14 polls with 58 percent against Kyagulanyi’s 34 percent. Kyagulanyi insists he won the election.
The court is expected to deliver its judgment within 45 days from the date of filing the petition. Nine justices of the Supreme Court are to hear the election petition including Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo, Dr Esther Kisaakye Kitimbo, Mike Chibita among others.
“I have thrown the challenge to the judiciary. This is a clear case. Everything that I stated in the petition was actually public knowledge. It is up on the court of law to show that they are worth their name,” Mr Kyagulanyi said.
Meanwhile, Kyagulanyi and his NUP elected leaders are expected to chose the next leader of opposition in the eleventh parliament to replace Forum for Democratic Change’s Ms Betty AOL Ochan.
“Giving you an update, we went to court because we have clear evidence that is clear for even for the blind man to see and we therefore asked court for two things. We asked it to cancel Mr Museveni’s victory and if it comes to the worst, we get to have a re-election as long as the army [and security] is kept out polls/election matters and without teargas,” Mr Kyagulanyi told NUP leaders at his home I. Magere on Monday.
Uganda’s president elect is to sworn into office on May 12, 2021 according to the constitution.
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