Category: Daily Monitor

In towns and villages across Uganda, the heartbeat of local enterprise often pulses through Saving and Credit Cooperatives (Saccos). These have become the bedrock of our local economies, offering quick access to credit, pooling savings, and helping small businesses turn ambition into action. Yet as the world rapidly digitises, a pressing question emerges: what happens when this bedrock begins to crack under the pressure of change? We see the signs already. The Sacco manager, buried in paper ledgers, instead of focusing on growth. The young, tech-savvy vendor in Namutumba who can pay suppliers instantly on her phone but must travel hours just to make a loan repayment.

The farmer in Kisoro whose loan is delayed because his paper-based records slow down risk assessment. These stories reveal a widening gap between the timeless value of community and the fast pace of the modern economy. The danger is a two-tier system: a digital, fast-moving formal sector and an analogue cooperative ecosystem struggling to keep its members engaged. To avoid this divide, cooperatives must commit to a future that is both fully digital and fully inclusive. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, the number of registered Saccos surged from 5,798 in 2015 to more than 31,800 by March 2025. Cooperative organisations also report that credit from Saccos is now the largest source of formal financing available to rural households.

According to the Uganda Cooperative Alliance, only about 11 percent of Ugandans use traditional formal financial institutions, meaning nearly nine out of 10 citizens rely on informal or semi-formal channels like Saccos for essential financial services.

Now, picture a different reality. Amina, a farmer in rural Mbale, wakes up and checks her Sacco balance on her phone. She doesn’t need a smartphone; a simple USSD code is enough. She moves part of her crop earnings into savings, applies for a loan while preparing breakfast, and by lunchtime, receives an approval alert. The funds land instantly in her mobile wallet. She pays school fees, receives reminders about her savings goals, and even votes in her Sacco’s annual meeting online.

This is what dignity and inclusion feel like. Less travel. Lower costs. Faster service. Better records. A stronger bond between member and institution. But digital transformation without inclusion creates new barriers. The goal is not to replace cooperatives’ community spirit, but to strengthen it with tools that everyone can use. This means solutions that work on basic phones, simple interfaces in local languages, financialliteracy support, affordable access, stronger governance through digital records, and data that improves lending decisions. When these elements come together, cooperatives become not only efficient but also more equitable.

At the recent Annual Cooperatives Convention, where I served as a panelist, it was clear that this future is already taking shape. New solutions are being built to help Saccos digitise operations, automate recordkeeping, introduce mobile savings and loan access, and strengthen governance. There’s need to invest in digital platforms that let Saccos transact more easily, and we continue to offer financial-literacy and capacity- building programmes. These include training on governance, record-keeping, and decision-making in partnership with Saccos and community organizations. The aim is simple: support cooperatives as they enter the digital age without losing the values that make them powerful.

Uganda’s cooperative movement has lifted millions. It has financed homes, educated children, expanded businesses, and grown rural economies. Its track record is undeniable. But the world is shifting fast. If cooperatives are to remain relevant to the next generation, they must evolve. They must become faster, more transparent, more connected, and more accessible. The question is no longer whether digital transformation is needed. The question is how quickly we can make it inclusive enough to carry every member along. If we get this right, cooperatives will not crack under pressure. They will strengthen. They will widen their impact. They will remain the reliable financial heartbeat of our communities, only more resilient, more connected, and readier for the future.

Election week in Uganda tests more than our political systems; it tests our character as a nation. Our history reminds us that while elections produce winners and losers at the ballot box, they can also produce fear, division, trauma, and social wounds when emotions are not managed with restraint. From a social worker’s perspective, how citizens behave during this period can either protect lives, relationships, and community cohesion-or damage them irreversibly. Peace, therefore, is not optional. It is a civic responsibility. Political affiliation matters, but it must never outweigh our shared humanity. No political opinion is more valuable than a human life, a family bond, or community harmony or political party. Ugandans live, work, worship, and trade together across political lines.

When neighbours turn into enemies and families fall apart over political differences, society begins to fracture. Elections are temporary; relationships are long-term. This time is also a time when silence can be wiser than argument. Social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and TikTok amplify emotions faster than understanding. Many online debates during this period are driven by anger, fear, and misinformation rather than facts. Hostile views can quickly shift to physical confrontation, pushing the country backwards. Choosing not to respond to provocation is not weakness; it is self-control and an act of leadership at the individual level.

The psychological impact of elections is Election outcomes are not the end of national lifeoften underestimated. Anxiety, sleeplessness, irritability, and fear are common, especially for those who have lived through previous election-related violence. Ignoring emotional well-being increases the risk of impulsive decisions and aggressive behaviour. Citizens must consciously reduce exposure to distressing content, rest adequately, and seek support from trusted people. A regulated mind contributes directly to a peaceful society. Rumours, unverified alerts, and alarmist messages spread fear faster than official communication. Responsible citizens rely on credible sources and resist the urge to forward unconfirmed information.

Misinformation is not harmless; it has the power to provoke real-world harm. Avoiding high-risk environments is another act of responsibility. Crowded hotspots, confrontational gatherings, and volatile demonstrations should be avoided whenever possible. There is no honour in placing oneself in danger to prove political loyalty or courage. True courage lies in protecting life. Children, older persons, and individuals with anxiety or disabilities are especially affected by tense environments. Exposure to violent language and disturbing news can have lasting psychological effects. Adults have a duty to create calm spaces at home and in their communities, offering reassurance and stability during uncertain times.

Provocation is common during and after elections. Insults, mockery, tribal undertones, and deliberate misinformation are often designed to trigger emotional reactions. Before responding, citizens must ask themselves what the cost of that reaction might be. No argument is worth injury, arrest, or lifelong regret. Election outcomes do not mark the end of national life. After the results, Ugandans return to the same villages, workplaces, markets, and places of worship. How we conduct ourselves during this time determines whether we move forward in harmony or carry forward division. Peace does not happen by accident. It is a deliberate choice made by ordinary citizens in extraordinary moments. The ballot is a tool of democracy; violence is not. When the noise fades and the votes are counted, we must still live together as Ugandans.

At least 10 officers of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and three Uganda Police officers were injured in an accident during election patrol operations in Jewa Town Council, Mbale District, on Election Day.

“The incident is unfortunate, and we are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding it,” said Rogers Taitika, Elgon Region Police Spokesperson.

The officers were carrying out operations to maintain calm in Bungokho North County, identified as a hotspot for electoral violence. The accident involved the driver of the pickup vehicle in which the officers were traveling, but the exact cause was not disclosed.

Eight of the 13 injured officers are receiving treatment at Mbale Regional Hospital. Despite the accident, Taitika said the election process in the region remained largely peaceful, with only a few isolated incidents reported in Sironko and Bulambuli districts.

In Bulambuli, presidential candidate Nathan Nandala Mafabi was reportedly assaulted and injured by a mob in Bugusege Sub-County, Sironko District, and was hospitalized.

“We condemn this act of violence and urge the public to allow the electoral process to proceed peacefully,” Taitika said.

In the same district, unknown assailants set fire to the vehicle of parliamentary candidate Vincent Weboya, representing Budadiri East.

30 people were arrested in Sironko in connection with election violence, found in possession of pangas and knives. Investigations are ongoing.

“We will not tolerate any form of violence or lawlessness, and we urge the public to cooperate with us to ensure peaceful elections,” Taitika said.

For many families across Uganda’s Albertine region, covering Nwoya, Hoima, Kikuube, Pakwach, Masindi and Buliisa, the dream of providing a quality education for their children often feels unattainable. Parents face painful choices, while many bright children see their ambitions ended. The challenge is pronounced in the Bunyoro Sub-region.

According to a report by the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, illiteracy stands at 47 percent, with women disproportionately affected. Learning outcomes remain worrying: in Buliisa, only 29.4 percent of learners from Primary Three to Primary Seven can read and comprehend a Primary Two-level English story, compared with the national average of 39.5 percent. In Nwoya District, just 48 percent of pupils complete Primary Seven, below the national completion rate of 52.67 per cent. Yet the figures tell only part of the story.

Behind them are determined children whose resilience persists despite hardship. For some, timely support has changed the course of their lives, offering a glimpse of how education in the oil region is gradually being rebuilt. One such story is that of Lilian Lanyero. Raised in a subsistence farming family, her days were divided between schoolwork and helping her parents in the garden. Each morning, she walked nearly four kilometres to school. Despite the strain, she clung to a single ambition: becoming a medical doctor. Her determination seems to be paying off after she scored Aggregate 10 in the Primary Leaving Examinations, placing her among the top performers in her district.

That success opened a door her family had never imagined, the TotalEnergies Local Scholarship Scheme, which earned her a place at Ocer Campion Jesuit College in Gulu City. ‘I will be the first person in my family to study in a boarding school. I want to be the first doctor from my family, helping children and the elderly,’ she says proudly. For Lilian, the scholarship represented more than financial support; it affirmed that her dreams were valid and achievable. A similar turning point came for Frankline Oyirwoth.

He obtained Aggregate 20 at O-Level, but progressing to A-Level seemed beyond reach. His mother, a single parent, could not afford the costs. With uncertainty clouding his future, hope returned when he was selected for the TotalEnergies Local Scholarship Scheme. The award covered tuition, learning materials and essential requirements, lifting the constant burden of financial worry. At Seeta High School in Mukono, Oyirwoth was able to focus on his studies, excelling with 16 points at A-Level.

The result secured him a place at Makerere University, where he pursued Petroleum Geoscience and Production. Beyond academics, the programme offered mentorship, leadership training and career guidance.

‘TotalEnergies took care of us like a family. The only thing my mother had to worry about was transport money,’ he recalls. Even after the scholarship period ended, mentorship continued through an alumni network supported by the company. After graduating, Oyirwoth was employed by Zhongman Petroleum and Natural Gas Group, a drilling contractor on the Tilenga Project. Today, he works in the industry he once aspired to join.

These individual journeys are unfolding alongside the development of the Tilenga Project, operated by TotalEnergies EP Uganda. The project is expected to produce up to 190,000 barrels of oil per day. Through its corporate social responsibility approach, TotalEnergies seeks to mitigate social risks while expanding opportunities for host communities.

‘Skilling, knowledge transfer and maximising opportunities for Ugandans are vital commitments for us,’ says Ms Joy Muballe, the company’s Social Performance and Biodiversity Director. Since 2013, the Local Scholarship Scheme has supported 377 students from the Albertine region, targeting academically gifted learners from low-income households, with a strong emphasis on science subjects. Special attention is given to girls from Buliisa and Nwoya.

The education fraternity is mourning the death of former Education Minister Geraldine Bitamazire. The death of Bitamazire, 81, which occurred yesterday, was confirmed by family members and staff of the Uganda Management Institute (UMI), where she last served as chancellor three years ago, before hanging up her boots.

Dr Kedrace Turyagyenda, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education, described the deceased as a pillar of dedication to the sector.

‘She served the education sector all her working life and at every level. She was head teacher of Tororo Girls and served as minister of Education three times,’ Dr Turyagyenda said.

‘She was also instrumental in implementing UPE [Universal Primary Education] and USE [Universal Secondary Education]. The one statement she always made was, ‘we want children to access quality education, not just education,” she added.

Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, the Makerere University vice chancellor, told Daily Monitor that the news of Bitamazire’s passing was received with deep grief.

“Geraldine Bitamazire played a major role in reviving Uganda’s education systems. She was also instrumental in the recovery of Makerere University after the years of distress in the 70s and 80s,’ Prof Nawangwe said. ‘She helped to resolve contentious issues between the staff of the university and the government.

We will remember her as a mother and counsellor for education in Uganda,’ he added. Prof Mukadasi Buyinza, the academic registrar of Makerere University, echoed the sentiment, saying the institution holds Bitamazire in high regard.

‘In her office as minister, higher education benefited immensely from her professional oversight, which was internationally recognised. She provided policy statements and promoted institutional growth. Makerere University also reaped the fruits of her leadership,’ Prof Mukadasi said.

Mr Peter Kibazo, the head of communications at UMI, noted that although her role as chancellor was largely ceremonial, they were fortunate to be guided by an expert.

‘The deceased served the education sector all her life. The last time I spoke to her, she told me she had served at Gayaza High School before being appointed Inspector of Schools during Amin’s regime,’ Mr Kibazo said.

‘After the government changed, she was appointed Minister of Education. At UMI, we are proud to have been led by someone who truly understood education,’ he added. tamazire’s passing was received with deep grief.

The Electoral Commission has pledged to uphold the constitutional time limit requiring the declaration of the duly elected president within 48 hours, as stipulated in Article 103, Clause 7 of the 1995 Constitution. Justice Simon Byabakama, the Commission’s chairperson, said yesterday that the next president will be announced on Saturday before 5pm, in line with the law.

‘As for the presidential elections, these are being transmitted to the National Tally Centre here in Lubowa, Wakiso District. We want you to note that the constituency for the presidential candidate is the entire country,’ Justice Byabakama said.

‘Accordingly, the Electoral Commission will tally all results from Uganda’s districts and cities at this centre and finally declare the elected candidate for presidency within 48 hours from the closure of the polls,’ he added. Article 103 (7) states that the Electoral Commission shall ascertain, publish, and declare in writing under its seal the results of the presidential election within 48 hours of polling. Clause (6) further stipulates that the candidate with the highest number of votes shall be declared President. Justice Byabakama emphasised that the declaration of results would begin immediately and continue until Saturday, January 17, 2026, when the final results will be announced.

‘Tallying of results will start as soon as they become available, beginning today, Thursday, January 15, 2026, and will continue until Saturday, January 17, 2026, when the final results will be declared before 5pm,’ he said. He thanked all Ugandans who participated in the elections for exercising their constitutional right to choose their leaders, noting that democracy is only as strong as the people who stand up to be counted. Chapter Five of the Constitution outlines how Ugandans should be represented at all levels of leadership. Clause One states that every citizen of Uganda aged 18 or above has the right to vote. It further emphasises that it is the duty of every eligible citizen to register as a voter for public elections and referendums.

‘The State shall take all necessary steps to ensure that all citizens qualified to vote register and exercise their right to vote. Parliament shall make laws to provide for the facilitation of citizens with disabilities to register and vote,’ the Constitution adds. Justice Byabakama also thanked Ugandans for keeping the peace during the process and urged calm among candidates and their supporters as results are compiled. Voting was scheduled to begin at 7am, but the biometric machines, touted as the silver bullet against malpractice, went belly up, forcing the Commission to start voting as late as 11am in many polling stations.

Faced with this setback, Justice Byabakama said the Commission had to extend voting hours from 4pm to 5pm to give those who had left in frustration a chance to cast their ballots. ‘The Commission had to use its special powers to extend the voting time to allow those who had come earlier and left because of the delays to vote,’ he explained.

The Ministry of Education and Sports has postponed the re-opening of all schools and education institutions across Uganda to Tuesday, February 10, 2026, citing the ongoing General Elections and the need to ensure the safety of millions of learners.

In an official statement issued on Friday, the Ministry revised its earlier directive of January 6, which had scheduled the re-opening of schools for the first term for February 2.

‘The Ministry hereby informs you that due to the General Elections and to ensure the safety of all learners, all schools and education institutions across the country are directed to re-open on Tuesday, 10th, 2026,’ the circular released by the Education ministry and signed off by its permanent secretary, Dr Kadrace R Turyagyenda, reads in part.

The new decision affects all educational institutions nationwide, including government and private schools, international schools, tertiary institutions, and universities.

‘For avoidance of doubt, this includes all international schools, tertiary institutions, and universities,’ the release further read in part.

According to the Ministry, the adjustment was made to allow for a safe and smooth electoral process while minimizing potential disruptions to learning activities and safeguarding students.

School administrators have been directed to strictly comply with the revised dates and to follow the approved school calendar published on the Ministry’s official website. Parents, guardians, students, and the general public have also been urged to take note of the changes to avoid confusion.

The Ministry reassured stakeholders that further updates, if any, will be communicated through official channels.

Ms Turyagyenda, in her earlier January 6 school calendar release, reiterated the official school hours, noting that learning in primary and post-primary schools should run from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, while pre-primary schools should operate from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon.

To address traffic congestion, particularly in urban areas, head teachers of boarding schools in the Kampala Metropolitan Area have since been advised to stagger the opening and closing dates for different classes.

She added that school opening days, visitation schedules, and other major annual events should be organized in consultation with neighboring institutions to avoid congestion and disorder.

‘Management of these functions should adhere to the guidelines for the safe conduct of entertainment and co-curricular activities and the election of student leaders in pre-primary, primary, and post-primary schools,’ Ms Turyagyenda said in her earlier communication.

As Uganda goes to the polls today, an Internet shutdown has been instituted. While such measures are often discussed through the lens of political rights, we must urgently shift the conversation to a more immediate and devastating reality: the catastrophic economic and security cost of digital darkness. In the modern Ugandan economy, the Internet is no longer a luxury; it is the central nervous system of our marketplace. According to Bank of Uganda data, active mobile money accounts have surged to over 33 million as of 2025. On any given day, billions of shillings move through digital rails to pay for hospital bills, school fees, and the daily stock for market vendors in Kikubo.

During the 2021 shutdown, estimates suggested the economy lost nearly $1.79 million (Shs6.6 billion) per day, by 2026, with our deepened reliance on digital financial services, that figure could easily double. A shutdown does not merely stop an X post; it freezes the lifeblood of the ‘Omuntu wa wansi.’ When the network goes dark, the mother in Gulu might not easily access emergency funds from Kampala; the boda boda rider could have trouble with his GPS-linked customers; and the SME owner cannot verify a supplier payment. Furthermore, from a security standpoint, a total shutdown is a tactical error.

It creates an information vacuum. In the absence of verified news, this vacuum is instantly filled by unverified rumours, panic, and ‘shadow’ misinformation that spreads offline or via restricted channels. This makes the country less safe, not more. It is in this darkness that deepfakes-AIgenerated videos of leaders-can do the most damage because there is no official digital medium left to debunk them in real-time. As the Cyber Security and Forensics Association of Uganda, we advocate for ‘Precision Security’ rather than ‘blunt force.’ Instead of cutting the cord, we should be strengthening the shield.

We propose the using of the already established team of a national cyber safety team where citizens can report digital threats, hacking, or inciting content without losing access to their livelihoods. In future, the powers that be should invite the Cyber Security and Forensics Association and other stakeholders for a joint technical briefing, and strategies on how we can secure our digital borders and protect the integrity of the vote without bankrupting our citizens. Let us choose cyber-stability over digital silence. Our economy, and our peace, depend on it.

About 15 kilometres from Kampala’s capital centre, on Entebbe Road, a huge tent has been erected to host the National Tally Centre where all presidential election results are being counted. Situated half a kilometre off the main road, the tally centre sits on the grounds earmarked for the future headquarters of the Electoral Commission (EC) in Lubowa, Makindye-Ssabagabo, Wakiso District.

Access is as tight as a drum. Only accredited personnel can pass through the four roadblocks leading to the venue. Each checkpoint is manned by personnel from the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF), counter terrorism units, and the traffic police. All accredited individuals, including EC officials, security officers, election observers, and journalists, must undergo scrutiny at the final checkpoint, just a stone’s throw from the venue.

Officers atop a police pickup truck keep a close watch on the premises. Upon clearance, those without accredited vehicles must walk past the gates before entering through the third gate. ‘It is tiresome,’ some observers were heard complaining as they trudged toward the entrance, while police officers burst into hearty laughter. The parking lot, paved with concrete stones, accommodates vehicles belonging to accredited security teams, EC staff, observers, and service providers. An ambulance waits on standby, ready for any eventuality. Before stepping into the tallying area, one must undergo a final security check. The floor inside has been neatly paved, giving the place a polished look. By the time of filing this story, eight ambulances, a police fire brigade truck, and a satellite communication vehicle were stationed within the compound.

Media vehicles, including those from NTV, had also been allowed in to facilitate live broadcasts. Standing at the heart of the main tent, facing the entrance, three smaller tents rise to the right. This is the direction through which accredited personnel enter. Two of these serve as food points; one for journalists, the other for EC officials and observers. The third, about 10 steps from the main tallying tent, is reserved for media operations. To the left, a smaller tent functions as a waiting area for EC officials. It is the same tent where presidential candidates were ushered in during their nominations last September. The main entrance faces directly toward the gate used by EC Commissioners’ vehicles. Above the doorway, bold lettering reads: National Tally Centre, Presidential Elections 2026. The tent, raised about 20 inches on wooden supports, is carpeted with artificial green grass.

A wooden walkway, raised another 10 inches, splits the floor horizontally, serving as a path for commissioners and other dignitaries. Covered with a white hard carpet, the walkway is punctuated every few steps by podium-like structures adorned with artificial flowers, adding a touch of pomp and circumstance. Seating is arranged with military precision. Three-quarters of the tent is divided into two sections, each holding about 500 chairs for journalists and observers. The remaining quarter, at the front, is reserved for the EC tallying team on the right and invited diplomats on the left. At the very front, the seven EC commissioners and the Secretary to the Commission sit facing the audience.

A giant screen stands to their left, while four more large screens, two on either side and one at the back, ensure that no one misses a beat. EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama said the screens would allow observers and accredited personnel to follow the results as they trickle in. In addition, six 65-inch television screens have been installed inside the tent for the same purpose. The tent’s walls are draped in two layers of cloth. Balloons festoon the ceiling, which itself is covered in pure white fabric, giving the venue a festive yet dignified atmosphere. To light up the proceedings, two floodlights blaze overhead. Here is a place we will call home for the coming days. Here is where the world will keep its eyes on until a winner is announced from the presidential race.

At least 12 people have been confirmed dead and dozens injured following widespread violence that erupted during and after polling across several districts in central Uganda and Kampala City.

The latest fatalities occurred in Butambala District, where seven people suspected to be supporters of the incumbent legislator, Mr Muhammed Muwanga Kivumbi, were shot dead by security personnel overnight Thursday.

Another three people sustained gunshot wounds during the incident.

The regional police commander, Ms Lydia Katushabe, confirmed the deaths, saying the violence broke out after supporters allegedly stormed tally centres three times, prompting clashes with security forces. However, Mr Kivumbi denied the account.

Mr Kivumbi was contesting against journalist cum politician Mr Erias Mukiibi, an independent candidate who was declared the winner of the Butambala County parliamentary race.

Police said 25 people have since been arrested in the district on allegations of assaulting security personnel.

Earlier on Thursday, five people were killed in separate incidents in Luweero and Kalungu districts. Police said the victims were shot dead by security agencies amid election-related unrest.

In Kampala City, chaos erupted in parts of Makindye Division and Makindye Ssabagabo Division as opposition supporters clashed with security personnel over the results announced at various polling stations. Areas affected included Busabala, Ndeeba, Gangu, and Najjanankumbi.

Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson Mr Luke Owoyesigyire said security teams were deployed to restore order.

‘Our teams are on the ground to address the disturbance. I cannot give a full assessment now because the operation is still ongoing,’ Mr Owoyesigyire said.

Protesters blocked major roads using logs and debris, which they later set on fire. Security personnel responded by firing tear gas and live bullets.

The unrest, which began around 9 am on Friday, had been contained by 6pm.

Suspected protesters often emerged from residential areas and hurled rocks at the security personnel, who responded with bullets and tear gas canisters.

In Kayunga District, supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) woman parliamentary candidate, Ms Harriet Nakuwadde, protested results indicating that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, Ms Jackline Birungi, was leading.

Protesters reportedly raided the tally centre at Ntenjeru Township before being dispersed by security forces.

The unrest later escalated to an attack on the NRM district offices, which were set ablaze. Mr Jamada Kivumbi, the NRM District Registrar, said the attackers stole Shs15 million that had been kept in the office to pay party workers.

‘They came with a jerrycan of fuel, sprinkled it in the office, and set it on fire. It happened very fast, and we could not stop them,’ Mr Kivumbi said.

Retired senior military officer Maj Gen James Kinaalwa, a resident of the district, reportedly attempted to intervene to calm the situation, but the protests persisted.

Demonstrators also blocked the Kampala-Kayunga Road, forcing police to call in military reinforcements to clear the route.

An unspecified number of protesters were arrested and are being held at various police stations.

Meanwhile, on Thursday night, armed men dressed in military uniforms allegedly raided several polling stations along Entebbe Road in Mpala and Kisubi townships.

Witnesses said the men fired bullets into the air before fleeing with ballot boxes containing cast votes. Police declined to comment on the alleged raids.

As tallying and announcement of results continue, tensions remain high in several parts of the country, with authorities urging calm while security forces maintain a heavy presence in affected areas.