Museveni Says Biometric Voting System Ended Opposition’s “Cheating Lifeline” After Election Results

Kampala — President Yoweri Museveni has defended the outcome of the recent elections, saying the introduction of biometric voter verification (BVV) machines played a decisive role in shaping the results and exposing what he described as long-standing weaknesses within opposition political groups.

In remarks released following the polls, Museveni said the new technology fundamentally altered how elections are conducted, arguing that it eliminated opportunities for manipulation at polling stations.

“The death-knell to the opposition were the BVV machines. With the BVV machines, the Opposition’s life-line of cheating was gone,” he said while commenting on the performance of rival parties.

The President maintained that the system strengthened the integrity of the voting process by ensuring that only authenticated voters participated. Supporters of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) have pointed to the technology as evidence of progress toward more transparent elections and improved electoral management.

Opposition leaders, however, have dismissed Museveni’s remarks, insisting that the elections were affected by what they describe as broader political challenges, including restrictions on campaign activities, arrests of political actors, and concerns about fairness in the overall electoral environment.

Political observers say the President’s comments are likely to intensify ongoing debates about the credibility of Uganda’s elections and the role of technology in determining outcomes.

While biometric systems are widely seen as tools to reduce voter fraud, analysts note that public confidence in election results also depends on transparency, accountability, and trust in electoral institutions.

The discussion surrounding BVV machines is expected to continue as parties, civil society groups, and election stakeholders review the conduct of the polls and consider reforms ahead of future electoral cycles.