IT DOESN’T PAY TO BE GOOD: Museveni Son-in-Law Odrek Rwabwogo Exposes Vote Rigging in 2026 Elections (Watch Video)

In stark remarks that could stir Uganda’s political debate, Odrek Rwabwogo, a businessman and son-in-law to President Yoweri Museveni, has voiced unusually direct concerns over alleged electoral malpractice and the moral decay of the country’s political system, based on the 2026 general elections.

Rwabwogo warned that Uganda was facing a deeper crisis than commonly acknowledged. He said he was extremely worried to the core about the country’s trajectory.

In his comments, Rwabwogo alleged that elements within the military and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) were involved in practices including vote rigging, bribery, ballot stuffing, and intimidation during elections.

He further claimed that episodes of violence, including the shooting of voters in previous electoral cycles, had contributed to an environment in which political competition was no longer fair or credible.

These practices, he argued, amount to a broader threat to Uganda than external dangers such as invasion, natural disasters, or environmental shocks. The deeper risk, he suggested, was institutional: a political culture in which integrity is punished and loyalty is rewarded over competence.

Rwabwogo’s central warning focused on the social consequences of such a system. He said that widespread monetisation of politics—where electoral success is driven by financial inducements rather than policy or leadership quality—was eroding public trust and discouraging merit in professional life.

In his framing, the result is a society where “it doesn’t pay to be good at what you do,” a dynamic he linked to declining standards in essential sectors such as education and healthcare.

His remarks have resonated in a country where concerns about electoral integrity have been repeatedly raised by opposition parties, civil society groups, and international observers over multiple election cycles.

Uganda’s recent political history has been marked by contentious polls, heavy security deployments during campaigns, and allegations of voter intimidation—claims the government has consistently rejected, insisting elections are conducted in accordance with the law and reflect the will of the people.

Rwabwogo’s intervention is particularly notable given his proximity to the political establishment. As Museveni’s son-in-law, his comments are being interpreted as either an internal critique aimed at reforming governance practices or a rare public airing of tensions within elite circles. Others caution that his remarks may reflect personal concern rather than institutional rupture.

The ruling NRM has long defended its stewardship of Uganda’s electoral process, arguing that stability achieved under Museveni’s leadership since 1986 has come at the cost of managing a volatile political environment.

Government officials frequently point to infrastructure development and security gains as evidence of progress, while dismissing opposition allegations of systematic rigging as politically motivated.

Opposition figures, however, have repeatedly alleged that electoral outcomes are shaped by state power, including security force presence during voting, uneven access to media, and the use of public resources in campaigns.

Rwabwogo’s comments also touch on a broader anxiety within Uganda’s professional and civic sectors: the perception that advancement is increasingly tied to political patronage rather than merit.

His warning that society risks failing to attract or retain competent teachers, doctors, and professionals reflects longstanding concerns about brain drain and institutional weakening in key public services.

While it remains unclear whether his remarks signal a coordinated reform push or an individual expression of concern, they add a new layer of complexity to Uganda’s pre-election atmosphere.

For now, the reaction across Uganda’s political spectrum has been mixed—ranging from those who see his comments as courageous truth-telling to others who view them as politically sensitive statements that could deepen existing divisions within the ruling elite.

Muhoozi has meanwhile warned David Kabanda against attacking Odrek Rwabwogo, as the first son and first son-in-law appear to have reconciled.

Relatedly, Odrek Rwabwogo has previously warned against bringing back Bachwezi, a group that Muhoozi often praises. Odrek was also spoken out presidential ambitions. (See Details Here and There).