KAMPALA, Uganda — In the final month before Ugandans head to the polls, elders, women leaders and religious figures are appealing for calm, warning that without dialogue and restraint, the country risks repeating its violent electoral past.
John Orach, an official at the National Council for Older Persons, traced Uganda’s cycle of electoral violence to the colonial era, arguing the country has repeatedly failed to learn from history. “Those who remember know that the 1959 elections were violent. In 1961, the same pattern repeated. Every election since then has carried some form of violence. We have failed to learn,” Orach said.
He noted that older persons — constitutionally guaranteed the right to political participation — are among the most vulnerable during election periods. “For us older people, we cannot afford beatings. Break a leg and you are finished. The result is self-withdrawal from participation, which denies us our constitutional mandate,” he said.
Orach faulted the Electoral Commission and the Uganda Human Rights Commission for failing to systematically engage older persons throughout the electoral cycle, as required by law.
Gloria Paga, a representative of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), highlighted the disproportionate impact of election violence on women, particularly those in female-headed households.
“Violence keeps women away from political participation. When tear gas is fired at rallies, it is women who must choose between civic duty and the safety of their families and livelihoods,” Paga said.
She called on Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), District Police Commanders, and field commanders to rein in excesses by security personnel, reminding them that their constitutional duty under Article 212 is to protect citizens, not intimidate them.
Paga also defended parliamentary walkouts as a legitimate democratic expression, warning against the criminalisation of dissent.
“Peaceful protest, including parliamentary walkouts, is not violence. As FDC, we have committed to peace and are actively training our Youth League and Women League in non-violent participation,” she said.
Religious leaders also raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process, particularly the voters’ register. Imam Idi Kasozi, Vice Chairperson of the Uganda Muslim Youth Assembly (UMYA), questioned discrepancies between population data and the number of registered voters.
“The 2024 census puts Uganda’s population at about 45 million, yet the voters’ register has over 21 million voters, many reportedly under 70 years. This suggests possible inflation of nearly 1.9 million voters,” Kasozi said.
He warned that a disputed voters’ register undermines public confidence and fuels suspicion, increasing the risk of violence. “You cannot have peaceful elections without trust. Laws alone are not enough. Transparency and dialogue—especially around the voters’ register—are non-negotiable,” he added.
The credibility of the register lies at the core of the EC’s mandate under the Electoral Commission Act (Cap. 140), which requires the commission to maintain a clean, accurate, and verifiable roll. T
These warnings come amid a sharp escalation in election-related violence over the past two months, marking a dramatic shift from what had been a relatively calm campaign period in late September.
At least three people—Mesach Okello and Hassan Kalungi in Kawempe, and Leon Joshua Otim in Gulu City—have been killed in election-related incidents, according to rights monitors and opposition leaders.
The National Unity Platform (NUP) claims more than 500 of its supporters have been arrested nationwide, including 200 in western Uganda, 160 in central Uganda, 100 in eastern Uganda, and 50 in northern Uganda. The latest flashpoint occurred in Gulu City, where violent clashes between NUP supporters and security forces drew widespread condemnation.
Videos circulating online showed police officers and men in military uniform beating civilians with batons and firing tear gas in crowded areas.
Stephen Tashobya, a Commissioner at the Electoral Commission, said he regretted the skirmishes and stressed that no individual or institution is above the law.
He called on security agencies to promptly investigate the incidents and prosecute those responsible to restore public confidence. He added that a full and transparent public account of the events would meet public accountability requirements under both the Police Act and the UPDF Act, which mandate disciplined conduct and the proportionate use of force by security personnel.
In response to the deteriorating security situation, Assistant Inspector General of Police Frank Mwesigwa, the Operations Commander, pledged firm enforcement of the law to guarantee a peaceful election. He urged political actors to desist from inciting the public or disrupting the voting process ahead of the general polls.
Last week, the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), with support from the European Union, convened a national peace conference bringing together political parties, the EC, security agencies, parliamentarians, civil society, media, and religious leaders.
Delegates adopted 10 binding commitments aimed at preventing violence, rejecting hate speech and misinformation, and upholding the Electoral Code of Conduct under the Electoral Commission Act.
Since independence, seven of Uganda’s 11 electoral cycles—about 63 percent—have been marred by violence. These incidents have intensified since 2001, peaking in 2016 and 2021.
According to Afrobarometer, 49 percent of Ugandans fear electoral violence, while 62 percent cite political rivalry as the main trigger.
Voter turnout has also declined, dropping from 59 percent in 2016 to 57 percent in 2021, raising concerns about the credibility of Uganda’s democratic process. With just one month to polling day, observers warn that the credibility of peace pledges will be judged not by statements, but by actions on the ground. As Uganda edges closer to January 15, 2026, public confidence in the electoral process—and the country’s fragile democratic gains—hangs in the balance.
