Nabasumba Proscovia
With just months to go until Uganda’s 2026 General Elections, political temperatures are rising across the nation. The recent hotly contested guild presidency elections at Nkumba University served as a microcosm of the divisions playing out on the national stage.
As factions within major parties National Resistance Movement (NRM), the National Unity Platform (NUP), the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)’s Najjanankumbi and Katonga factions strategize for dominance, the battle for representation in interparty by-elections has grown ferocious. One can only wonder: where does the political smoke end, and where does the fire truly begin?
The Electoral Commission has undertaken significant steps to streamline the electoral process ahead of the January 12th–February 9th, 2026 voting period. Among the measures implemented is a countrywide reorganization of polling stations to ensure both efficiency and accessibility. Rolls have been pinned, spaces secured, and plans set in motion.
Justice Byabakama Steven, in The Electoral Commission Strategic Plan (2022/23-2026/27), emphasized the importance of maintaining order in the electoral process.
“The Commission has issued guidelines aligned with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) set by the Uganda Police and the Ministry of Health. Some see these measures as restrictive, prompting defiance, which in turn leads to law enforcement stepping in—a cycle that has regrettably cost young lives,”* he remarked.
On May 13, 2025, the National Unity Platform (NUP) met with the European Union delegation in Uganda, urging them to push the ruling NRM government on worsening human rights conditions. The party cited recent security force crackdowns, particularly following the Kawempe South by-elections in March, where multiple opposition supporters were abducted, tortured, and held incommunicado.
The closed-door meeting at NUP headquarters in Bwaise Kubiri was attended by top party leaders, including President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine), Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya, and Opposition Chief Whip John Baptist Nambeshe. The EU delegation, led by Ambassador Jan Sadek, listened as Bobi Wine expressed frustration over diplomatic ties.
“We raised the issue of human rights and voiced our concerns about the seeming hobnobbing of diplomats with government officials, which many Ugandans perceive as tacit support for their oppression,” Wine said.
Ambassador Sadek acknowledged the concerns raised, stating that the EU is engaging with all political actors ahead of the elections. “We have met with NRM; now we are meeting with NUP, and we will continue discussions with other parties. Uganda is heading toward an important democratic process in 2026, and we expect citizens to engage actively. As diplomats and observers, we are closely following developments,” Sadek noted.
Sadek expressed worries about electoral violence and urged all political players to respect democratic principles. “We appeal to all sides to conduct their campaigns peacefully and ensure credible election results,” he added.
Ugandans have not forgotten the tragic events of November 2020, when Kyagulanyi’s arrest in Jinja sparked nationwide protests. Security forces responded with a brutal crackdown, killing at least 54 protesters and detaining over a thousand others. Many have since disappeared or remain imprisoned.
In 2023, the Ugandan Human Rights Commission announced the closure of files concerning 18 missing opposition supporters, raising fresh concerns about justice and accountability.
As Ugandans go about their daily lives whether at universities, workplaces, or homes—the importance of elections must not be overlooked. But elections should not be seen as an end in themselves. They are merely a step toward leadership capable of implementing policies that enhance citizens’ well-being. More than just political victories, Uganda needs stability and peace beyond the 2026 General Elections so that every citizen can live in harmony.
