KAMPALA, UGANDA – Former presidential aspirant Kasami Rogers Mike has condemned the Electoral Commission’s (EC) recent nomination exercise, labeling it a “tactical denial” of democratic rights and an indicator of a “dying system.”
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The condemnation follows the controversial disqualification of Kasami and other presidential aspirants just a day before the scheduled exercise, a move that has thrown the country’s political landscape into turmoil ahead of the 2026 general elections.
In an exclusive interview with this reporter, Kasami stated that his team had followed all procedures, mobilized supporters, and was fully prepared for the September 24th nomination.
He asserted that the Electoral Commission’s last-minute disqualification of him and other aspirants, under unclear circumstances, had rendered months of dedicated effort and significant financial investment futile.
“We had done everything by the book and were ready for the September 24th nomination, so our last-minute disqualification was a profound disappointment to me and the thousands of Ugandans who believed in our mission for transformation,” Kasami declared.
The aspirant and his legal team are framing the EC’s action as a direct violation of the supreme law of the land, specifically Article 72 of the Constitution, which guarantees every person the right to stand as an independent candidate.
Regarding the possible motives behind the mass disqualification, Kasami suggested a calculated political strategy orchestrated to protect President Yoweri Museveni and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
“It is crystal clear that President Museveni has tactically done this to escape competition from his stronghold regions like Tooro, Bunyoro, and Northern Uganda. By systematically denying candidates with significant support in these areas, the regime aims to prevent any erosion of NRM support,” Kasami added.
Despite the significant setback, Kasami has urged his supporters nationwide to remain steadfast, calling for strength, resilience, and unwavering focus on the ultimate goal of transforming Uganda.
The Electoral Commission is yet to issue a detailed public statement explaining the specific legal grounds for disqualifying the independent presidential aspirants.
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