By KT Reporter
Electoral violence, intimidation, and the growing monetisation of politics remain some of the biggest threats to Uganda’s democracy, senior officials have warned as the country prepares for the 2026 general elections.
At a stakeholder meeting convened by the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Uganda Human Rights-UHRC Commissioner Crispin Kaheru and Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama called for urgent action to curb violence and restore public confidence in the electoral process.
Kaheru warned that violence during campaigns and the “growing culture of money politics” risk undermining Uganda’s democratic legitimacy. He called on security forces to act as protectors of peace rather than instruments of fear, and urged the media to act responsibly in their coverage, recalling the divisive role media played in Kenya’s 2007 elections.
“Elections must be safe for everyone voters, candidates, and officials alike,” Kaheru said. “Campaigns must be powered by ideas, not by state resources.”
Kaheru challenged the Electoral Commission to live up to its mandate by ensuring full independence and fairness. “The responsibility is heavy, but so is the opportunity.
According to Kaheru, there is also a need to protect the participation of marginalised groups, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and minorities.
Justice Byabakama, responding to concerns, stressed that a free and fair election is not the sole responsibility of the Electoral Commission but the collective effort of citizens, political parties, civil society, and state institutions working within the law and toward a common goal.
“The Commission does not identify candidates, mobilise supporters, or enforce law and order,” he explained. “Our role is to provide the framework, through a transparent road map, voter education, and stakeholder engagement, that ensures citizens can exercise their sovereign power as provided for in Article One of the Constitution.”
Byabakama highlighted that the EC had already issued its road map for the 2026 elections in August 2023, covering every stage of the process to give political actors, voters, and stakeholders adequate time to prepare. He noted that inclusivity is ensured by involving tens of stakeholders nationwide to disseminate information and contribute to planning.
However, he lamented that despite these efforts, elections are increasingly undermined by malpractice. “Our efforts are at times derailed by some actors who indulge in vices that are abhorrent to the quest for free and fair elections. Take, for instance, the current obnoxious trend of monetisation of elections,” Byabakama said.
He described the commercialisation of politics as a grave danger to democracy, arguing that it sidelines credible leaders without financial muscle and fuels corruption.
“Monetisation has created a pervasive sense of exclusion, particularly among the youth. Party politics has clearly become a prohibitive, expensive option where only those with deep pockets survive. We must secure our democracy from this scourge,” he added.
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