President Yoweri Museveni has appealed for national unity and reconciliation following the disputed January 15 general elections, urging Ugandans to put divisions aside and treat one another fairly—including members of the opposition.

In a post-election letter addressed to citizens on Wednesday, Museveni called on the public to abandon what he described as “bad behaviour” and embrace fairness and tolerance in the country’s political life.

“I call upon Ugandans to abandon any bad behaviour and act fairly to all, even the opposition,” Museveni stated.

The president, who was declared winner of the January polls, acknowledged the tense political climate but credited the use of biometric voter verification systems with significantly reducing electoral fraud. According to Museveni, the technology enhanced transparency and safeguarded the integrity of the vote.

However, his message of reconciliation comes against a backdrop of continued opposition claims of widespread irregularities. Critics point to reports of pre-election arrests of opposition supporters, restrictions on media coverage, and limitations on campaign activities as evidence that the electoral environment was uneven.