President Yoweri Museveni has laughed at his opponents in the February 18 polls that there was no way they could have beaten him considering the support he has.
The NRM candidate was announced the winner of the elections having polled 60.7 percent whereas Besigye got 35 percent in the second position.
Addressing NRM supporters during the party’s victory celebrations at Kololo independence grounds on Saturday, Museveni said despite his votes being counted as invalid by the Electoral Commission, he went on to win the February 18 polls.
“I laugh when I hear some people saying they won. It seems they wanted to make miracles like Jesus turned water into wine and that can’t happen here,” Museveni said on Saturday.
An acrobat entertains crowds at Kololo ceremonial grounds in Kampala on Saturday
“The 500,000 votes I got were counted as being invalid by the officials(Electoral Commission) but when a farmer has many cows and loses some, he does not care as long others are left. Why did they lose the race for MPs, LC5 chairmen, councillors and all posts throughout the country?”
Museveni said there was no way ‘sleeping’ and ‘incapable’ people could be voted as leaders of the country, adding that Ugandans were wise and voted him as president.
“How did anyone steal your votes? It means you are not awake and not fit to be a president. They steal that big number of votes and you say you had agents or party?” Museveni wondered.
Museveni and other NRM bigwigs cut a cake
He applauded NRM supporters who voted him, saying they gave him a vote of confidence for the achievements in the last 30 years.
“I thank God for having given NRM victory and ensuring the elections were held in peace. The supporters too did a good job voting for me. I can’t be like the 8 lepers in the Bible who forgot to thank Jesus after being healed,” he said.
On the February 20 when he was announced president by the Electoral Commission, Museveni said the date reminded him of the day they overran Masindi during the liberation war.
NRM fans display their support of President Museveni
Posters of Museveni beating Besigye were widely displayed at Kololo
He said Uganda has now reached a stage where it is unstoppable and can finance everything needed.
“We won wars without weapons. For the last 30 years we didn’t have money in the treasury but we were able to move on. Right now we have enough money to finance our budget and do whatever we want.”
Museveni said his main focus this term would be electricity and job creation for the youth adding that he would lobby for investors to start industries to employ youths.
President Museveni and Janet arrive at Kololo for the victory celebrations
He said the construction of new dams would help reduce high electricity tariffs.
Museveni promised to ensure the health and education ministries perform relatively well during this term adding his main focus is ensuring each sub-county has at least a health center III facility and a government secondary school.
“We shall serve everyone including those who didn’t vote for us because we are a government of the people,” Museveni vowed.
Museveni leaves Kololo after the function