Frank Bulira Kabinga, the presidential flag bearer of the Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP), has dismissed the official presidential election results, alleging they were manipulated and did not reflect his actual performance at the polls.
According to results released by the Electoral Commission, Bulira polled 45,959 votes, representing 0.4 per cent of the total valid votes cast, placing him fifth out of eight candidates. President Yoweri Museveni was declared winner with 7,946,772 votes, equivalent to 71 per cent of the total vote.
However, Bulira disputes the figures, claiming that results compiled by his own tally centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, show that he received about 60,000 votes nationwide.
Addressing journalists at a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Mengo, Bulira thanked his supporters and party coordinators for standing with him throughout the campaign, which he said was marked by intimidation and violations of fundamental rights, particularly online.
He praised Ugandans who participated in the election, saying they exercised their constitutional rights despite facing pressure and restrictions on freedom of expression through the internet.
Bulira accused the Electoral Commission of lacking independence, alleging that it operated in favour of President Museveni and could therefore not be trusted to deliver a free and fair electoral process.
Despite raising allegations of electoral fraud, the RPP leader said he would not seek legal redress, ruling out a court challenge to the results.
He also claimed that his campaign was deliberately undermined by state actions, accusing the government of freezing the party’s bank accounts and the Uganda Revenue Authority of seizing campaign vehicles donated to him by a Qatari prince.
Looking ahead, Bulira said his party would focus on rebuilding support at the grassroots level rather than pursuing legal action, as it prepares for the next general election.
