By KT Reporter
The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has appealed to the leaders in the Bunyoro to sensitize their people about the importance of peaceful and violence-free elections.
Speaking during a one-day stakeholders workshop in Hoima city, Peter Omara, a commissioner with Uganda Human Rights Commission, says Uganda needs a peaceful electoral process built on respect, responsibility, and restraint.
He tasked the Civil society organisations (CSOs), religious, cultural, and opinion leaders, as well as security, to advocate for violence-free elections.
He said the credibility of the 2026 polls will depend on respect for human rights, tolerance, and adherence to the rule of law, noting that preservation of peace is very crucial during the entire electoral process in the country.
He suggested the need to uphold human rights, the rule of law, and the dignity of each Ugandan before, during, and after the elections, elaborating that these stakeholders are very crucial in countering electoral and political violence.
Sarah Nakhumitsa, the Director of regional services at the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), urged parties in the election to have respect for one another and put the country’s peace above personal ambition.
Rev. Canon Francis Barongo, the secretary Bunyoro Interreligious Council, says it is important for religious and church leaders to preach to their followers to embrace peace before, during, and after the elections, adding that the clergy and other religious actors can play important roles in creating cohesion as the country goes for elections.
Barongo says the clergy should strongly get involved in reducing the risk of electoral and political violence, saying they should only support free and fair elections during the election cycle.
Badru Mugabi, the RCC Hoima City, says despite the growing political tensions in other parts of the country, Hoima has not yet registered any offenses as far as the campaigns are concerned.
He attributes the peaceful political atmosphere in the area to good coordination between security and the political actors.
The one-day engagement attracted key stakeholders, including the Judiciary, cultural, opinion, and religious leaders, civil society organizations (CSOs), as well as security.
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