The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has criticised President Yoweri Museveni for publicly describing his role in the disputed Masaka City Woman MP election, warning that his actions undermine constitutional governance and threaten the legitimacy of the vote.


Speaking at the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Leaders’ Retreat on Wednesday, Museveni recounted how NRM candidate Justine Nameere personally approached him over alleged electoral manipulation during the vote held on January 15.


According to Museveni, the NRM candidate sought his intervention after National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Rose Nalubowa was initially declared the winner of the contest with 25,443 votes to Nameere’s 20,324, alleging that her votes had been manipulated.


Acting on Nameere’s complaint, Museveni said he confirmed reports of irregularities involving local officials, including police officers, ordered the removal of police commanders in the area and directed Uganda’s Electoral Commission to replace the vote’s returning officer. The orders preceded a court-supervised recount that ultimately declared Nameere the winner with 25,502 votes against Nalubowa’s 23,176.


In a statement on Thursday, ULS condemned Museveni’s admission as “blatantly unconstitutional,” asserting that his actions compromised the independence of both the Electoral Commission and the Judiciary.


ULS specifically highlighted constitutional safeguards meant to protect the country’s Electoral Commission and Judiciary from political interference, citing Article 62 on the Commission’s independence and Article 128 on the courts’ autonomy.


“The President’s reported engagement with the Commission and the Uganda Police Force, for the removal and replacement of the Returning Officer, District and Regional Police Commanders, allegedly at Nameere’s urging, undoubtedly compromised the independence of these institutions,” ULS said in the statement signed by Vice President Anthony Asiimwe.


According to ULS, election disputes should be handled only through proper legal channels, without any interference, pressure, or public comments from the Executive or other parties that might appear to influence the outcome.


“Both the Commission and Judiciary must be permitted to discharge their mandates independently and impartially, strictly within the bounds of the law,” ULS said.


It added that Museveni’s interventions send a troubling signal and weaken public confidence in Uganda’s electoral process and rule of law.


“We demand that the President and all other stakeholders immediately cease such interference and uphold the supremacy of the Constitution,” ULS said.