Office of the President Launches Vote Protection Exercise Ahead of 2026 Elections
By The Public Lens
The Office of the National Chairman of NRM (ONC) has launched a vote protection exercise to safeguard President Yoweri Museveni’s votes in the 2026 presidential elections.
This initiative, launched at the ONC offices in Kyambogo, aims to prevent vote rigging and ensure the integrity of the electoral process. Al-Hajj Moses Kigongo, 1st National Vice Chairman, and Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, ONC Head and Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs, led the launch.
A team of Regional, Bazzukulu, and District ONC coordinators has been tasked with mobilizing support and protecting votes for President Museveni. In July, President Museveni appointed Namyalo to head his Vote Protection Unit.
Namyalo emphasized the importance of avoiding past mistakes, citing President Museveni’s previous claims of vote rigging. “We need people who are committed and feel empathy for him to protect his votes,” she stressed.
The team’s primary role is to supervise the voting exercise, prevent vote rigging, and ensure accurate tallying of results.
Al-Hajj Moses Kigongo urged the coordinators to stay humble, focused, and disciplined. “Be well-behaved, don’t mind other parties during the election, stay focused on your role, and be alert to protect our victory,” he said.
Kigongo also cautioned against irregularities and complaints, emphasizing accountability.
President Museveni has repeatedly accused the opposition, especially NUP, of stealing his votes in the 2021 elections.
The Uganda Electoral Commission has outlined key dates for the 2025/2026 General Elections, including nomination of candidates between October 2-3, 2025, and polling periods from January 12 to February 9, 2026.
The launch of President Museveni’s vote protection unit drew NRM CEC members, State House officials, politicians, and civil servants from across the country.
