Heavy armoured vehicles and infantry units fanned out across the Ugandan capital on Sunday as the military and police entered a state of joint deployment, barely four days before a high-stakes General Election.
The mobilization, confirmed by Acting Director of Defence Public Information Col Chris Magezi, marks a significant escalation in security measures ahead of the January 15, 2026 polls.
After daybreak, several war-like land combat and transport vehicles were seen manoeuvring through Kampala’s known flashpoints and patrolling major arterial highways on Sunday.
When this reporter visited parts of the capital at around 2:00 pm, heavily armed police officers had taken up positions at major road junctions along Jinja Road, Wandegeya, and the Nakulabye traffic light areas, with a visible security blanket also reported downtown and in other parts of the country, including Jinja City.
Still in Kampala, groups of about 12-15 soldiers marched in formation along the city outskirts, with two police officers interspersed after every three fighters, imposing a mobile security presence along major routes.
Col Magezi said the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), working alongside the Uganda Police Force, had begun patrols to protect the democratic process and deter anticipated violence during the election period.
‘UPDF patrols in Kampala have commenced today. No cause for alarm,’ Magezi said, adding: ‘However, we do not take threats of violence during the election period by some political actors and their supporters lightly.’
According to Col Magezi, security agencies would ensure public safety and protect property, warning that ‘cases of criminality or threats to public order will be dealt with promptly and in compliance with the laws of Uganda.’
Under the Ugandan law, the UPDF is primarily tasked with defending the country against external threats, while police is typically responsible for domestic law enforcement and maintaining public order.
The use of the military for election security is considered exceptional and usually requires special orders or close coordination with police.
The Sunday deployment comes amid heightened political tension as President Museveni, 81, one of the world’s longest-serving leaders, seeks to extend his rule toward a half-century in what will be his eighth presidential contest.
‘120 bullets’
Amongst the eight presidential candidates, Museveni’s main challenger is widely seen to be opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
As the final campaign week begins on Monday, Museveni has adopted a firmer tone in recent days.
Speaking during his final rallies late last week, he urged Ugandans to vote but warned against unrest.
‘All of you should go and vote. No one can destabilize Uganda. Anyone who tries will regret,’ Museveni said.
The veteran president had earlier drawn criticism after December remarks suggesting soldiers were equipped with ‘120 bullets’ each, comments that the opposition NUP party said ‘reinforced fears of a hard security response to dissent.’
Security deployments ahead of elections are not new in Uganda, but analysts and international election observers have previously warned that the scale and visibility of combat-ready units risk discouraging voter participation by blurring the line between public order enforcement and intimidation.
About January 15
Museveni, who came to power in 1986 after a guerrilla war sparked by dissatisfaction with the 1980 polls, has seen at least three of his election victories unsuccessfully challenged in court.
The January 15 vote will be held at 50,739 polling stations nationwide, with 21,681,491 registered voters, according to official figures.
Ahead of the election, authorities said they would boost the police force with 100,000 unarmed special constables, bringing its total strength to over 160,000.
Other presidential candidates in the race include Joseph Mabirizi, Mubarak Munyagwa, Frank Bulira, Mugisha Muntu, Nandala Mafabi, and Robert Kasibante.