National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu has strongly condemned the violence and irregularities that tainted the June 19, 2025, youth elections. He called on young party leaders to remain steadfast, resilient, and unshaken as Uganda moves toward the 2026 general elections.

Kyagulanyi made the remarks during a press conference held on June 21, 2025, at the NUP headquarters in Makerere Kavule. There, he and other party officials listened to disturbing testimonies from youth leaders across the country detailing incidents of electoral malpractice. Many reported being denied the right to vote, while others described situations where long queues of supporters voted for them, yet they were not declared winners despite clearly leading.

“What happened in the youth elections is not surprising,” Kyagulanyi said. “But it should energize us. The youth are the future. As we head into what will be a protest vote election, I urge you all to remain steadfast this is only the beginning.”

He congratulated all youth leaders who won despite the odds and praised those who contested, declaring them the rightful youth representatives of their communities.

“All youths who were nominated or even went through the nomination process are now part of our national task force for the upcoming protest vote elections,” he added. “You are our party leaders.”

NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya echoed Kyagulanyi’s concerns, condemning the violence inflicted on NUP supporters and leaders. He criticized the Electoral Commission and Uganda Police, saying they must be held accountable for the irregularities.

“In Nakwero, people voted, and NUP candidates were declared winners. “But around 11:00 a.m, the results were reversed, and NRM candidates were announced instead. What kind of election is that?” Rubongoya questioned.

Party spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi also addressed supporters, urging them to remain calm but vigilant in the face of similar malpractice in the upcoming national elections.

“What we saw in the youth elections is a preview of what is to come,” he said. “There will be widespread malpractice, but NUP supporters must be ready to resist peacefully, but firmly and assertively.”

While the Electoral Commission has not yet released official national results of the youth elections, preliminary district-level data suggests that NUP secured significant victories in the Buganda region, while the NRM appears to have performed better in other parts of the country.