The state minister for Finance (General Duties), Henry Ariganyira Musasizi, has vowed not to relinquish the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party flag for the 2026 parliamentary elections, regardless of the outcome of the party primaries.
While campaigning earlier this week in Bushura ward, Hamuhambo Town Council, Musasizi, who also serves as the NRM district chairperson, asserted that he would “declare himself winner” even if defeated, arguing that he cannot allow another candidate to carry the party flag.
Musasizi said in Rukiga, “Here in Rubanda, as the NRM district chairperson, I am the one who appoints the returning officers and drafts the election regulations. No one will be declared winner over me,” Musasizi told supporters.
Doubling down on the same claims during another rally in Rujanjara, Nyamweru sub-county on Thursday. He also urged voters to “finish their prayers early” on polling day next week and be ready to cast their votes, adding, “Even if my competitors get annoyed, I will not allow them to be declared winners.”
The remarks have sparked backlash from rival aspirants and party officials. Kenneth Jogo Biryabarema, Musasizi’s main challenger, described the comments as “unfortunate” and a “direct affront” to NRM’s democratic processes.
Jogo said it is not Musasizi’s role to declare the flag bearer because that responsibility lies solely with the district party registrar, based on who garners the highest number of votes.
He added that Musasizi’s utterances are a clear sign that the minister has lost ground and is preparing to interfere with the electoral process.”
Israel Atuhaire Mucunguzi, another aspirant, dismissed the minister’s remarks as a desperate attempt to intimidate voters.
Mucunguzi described Musasizi’s utterances as scare tactics because he knows the ground has shifted and is now trying to create a false sense of dominance.
Contacted for a comment, Aggrey Monday, the Rubanda NRM district registrar, distanced himself from Musasizi’s statements.
“My role is to announce the candidate who genuinely wins. I am guided by the party’s electoral guidelines, not personal declarations,” Monday said.
Musasizi’s candidacy remains controversial in the district, following allegations that his 2020 victory in the NRM primaries was marred by vote tampering.
Many residents accused Monday of manipulating the results in Musasizi’s favour, triggering protests and long-standing tensions in Rubanda East.
Eeeh….even their cm has done that, since 1996,
Besigye is custody to reduce pressure
Musasizi, in other words, you think you are entitled to that position, and to hell with what the voters decide. Why has Uganda been so cursed to have people like you, who are clearly unloved and past your shelf-lives, but yet still want to impose yourselves on hapless Ugandans?
If he really said that, then he should be disqualified from the race. He has already intimidated voters, by saying that their voices/choices don’t matter. Some voters of his competitors might just stay at home on voting day. If others across the country copy him, then democracy ceases to exist.
Rubanda is a laboratory experiment for 2026. These kyaalis of opposition should be taking notes and discussing.
They should be creating scenarios of outcomes and factors.
They should be getting the names, residences and occupations of the guys I saw with sticks and those burning cars and ask.
Why, how, and when…
NO EXCUSES come 2026.
” The returning officer ran away with the nomination forms…”
Couldn’t you chase and catch him or her ? Are you lame?
Look for the vote
Vote
Protect the vote
Jaja TOVA KU main
Hiccup !
Zowe, thanks.
Without NO to the tribalistic system & UNITY, there is no way these demons will be blocked & stopped!
Divisive opposition leders MUST NOT lead already tribally divided ruled Ugandans to next fake elections that Rwandese Museveni & team have already won, to reaffirm they too, look up to Museveni & want him to rule for life!
Only Ugandans in UNITY with just ONE Natiobnal/Common leader will have the power to stop Museveni, without armed war!
From which tribal land will Museveni fight to come back from & which tribes will join him this time & will he go with tax money?
Why don’t Ugandans understand only them, in UNITY, will give chance to a tomorrow without Museveni, in a Uganda they will decide to form?
the village drunkard,
2026 must not be the discussion for Ugandans, but “NO to the tribalistic system & UNITY”!
Where is that just ONE National/Common Leader, so so needed to sing Ugandans to UNITY to block & stop Rwandese Museveni?
2026 will be 40 years of Museveni, but Ugandans still talk of election he has already won instead of UNITY, WHY?
Why is Rwandese Museveni assured of wonership of Uganda, tax money, control of every institution by powerless tribally divided ruled Ugandans without Common Goal, without Common/National Leadership?
Who is going to stop Museveni for Ugandans & replace him with which migrant?
Hiccup
Akot, calling on Ugandans to say no to the tribalistic system is easy.
I have said NO. Then what ?
Does a woman screaming NO stop a rapist from doing his business?
She has to do practical things like putting her thumb in his eye socket until she hears/feels a “pop” sound.
One “common leader” will be crushed if things go the way they are going. Ugandans think and act as if Uganda is not their country, why ? because they have been trained to think that way. I plan on letting them know ” ekilya atabaala…”.
They might have a common leader but if they do not value such a leader, your subject of ridicule might do as he wishes with that common leader with impunity. They need to first be taught to value and protect that “common leader”.
“The issues of the day will not be solved by long speeches and beautiful pronouncements…”
I tell people to
Look for the vote
Vote
Guard the vote
We will see how Mr. Museveni is declared winner when the entire country is ALIVE to the fact that another individual has wiped the floor with Mr. Museveni.
For you what is your practical solution ?
Hiccup
Certain people despise Baganda but if it wasn’t for the Buganda riots, Indians will still be controlling the cash crop economy.
I hope you get my point( I am so hangover).
Hiccup