The Electoral Commission (IEC), in partnership with civil society organisations, has launched a nationwide campaign aimed at securing a peaceful and violence-free general election in 2026. The drive focuses on community dialogue and sensitisation, particularly among groups often linked to election-related violence such as youth, boda boda riders, taxi operators and traders.
Mr Franklin Okello, the Executive Director of the Gulu NGO Forum, said civil society cannot afford to stand aside as the electoral body prepares for the next general election.
‘As the Gulu NGO Forum, we feel that we have a very important role to play in this election. There is no question that an election is one of the most important activities in our country. We therefore want to ensure that we have a peaceful election. Ugandans deserve better, and we want to be part of that country,’ he said.
Mr David Magarra of the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy said the campaign, run under the Tuongea (Let’s Talk Peace) programme, has been moving across the country to encourage peaceful participation ahead of the polls.
‘Under the Let’s Talk Peace campaign, particularly with the caravan, is to assure young people and the population that we can have a peaceful election. So, the message we pursue today is all about peaceful elections,’ he said.
He emphasised that every Ugandan has a role to play in preventing election-related violence, adding that Gulu, Lira, Masaka, Kasese and Mbale remain areas of concern due to previous incidents.
‘We are doing this national campaign based on the study that we did between the period of May and August, which highlighted key hotspots. In Northern Uganda, Gulu and Lira came out very profoundly.’
Mr Francis Odongyoo, the Executive Director of Human Rights Focus (HURIFO), warned that biased enforcement of the law by security agencies-especially during opposition campaigns-could fuel unnecessary tension.
‘Police should act within the law. It should also refrain from enforcing the law selectively. Blocking opposition candidates without any justifiable reasons will create tension which could have been avoided if they had remained neutral,’ he said.
Gulu City Returning Officer, Mr Mike Jjuko, said preparations are progressing well and the Commission has hired competent staff to ensure a credible process.
‘We are working towards a peaceful election. We are now done with the two phases of the election,’ he said.
Ms Fionah Opoka, the Regional Senior Human Rights Officer at the Uganda Human Rights Commission, said the Commission continues to prioritise civic education despite operational challenges.
‘The civic education is ongoing. We will do it amidst all the challenges. We will ensure that Ugandans participate in this election without violating the rights of others,’ she said.