Let Museveni Pay Me!! Busia Man Arrested For Defacing Museveni’s Posters

In a tense prelude to Uganda’s 2026 elections, a 33-year-old Busia resident, Mustafar Manirabuka, has landed in hot water after admitting to deliberately defacing and tearing down five campaign posters of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the long-standing National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate.

Facing Chief Magistrate Thomas Okoth on Tuesday, Manirabuka didn’t shy away from his actions — confessing to using a knife to slash the posters on September 22, 2025. He now faces charges under Section 80(2) of the Presidential Elections Act, which criminalizes tampering with campaign materials during election season.

But what makes this case more than just vandalism is Manirabuka’s heartfelt explanation: years of tireless campaigning for Museveni and his family, yet no recognition or reward.

Frustration boiled over in court, with Manirabuka lamenting, “We have supported Museveni for years, but nothing has ever come back to us. We feel forgotten.”

This incident has ignited a flurry of debate online and within political circles. Some see it as a bold symbol of growing frustration among NRM’s grassroots supporters, while others dismiss it as an isolated act, not reflective of the broader political mood.

Yet, with the general elections just months away, the timing couldn’t be more significant. Museveni, who has held power since 1986, faces mounting scrutiny, and this act of protest spotlights the simmering dissatisfaction simmering beneath the surface.

Beyond the headlines, the case raises critical questions about how political parties reward loyalty and whether long-term supporters like Manirabuka feel truly valued.

As the court prepares to deliver its verdict, eyes remain fixed on whether this dramatic gesture will ripple through Uganda’s political landscape ahead of the 2026 polls.