Heed EC advice on vigilantes

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OPINION

The Electoral Commission has issued a stern warning against the formation of vigilante groups ahead of the 2026 elections.

This is not just timely, but non-negotiable for Uganda’s democratic integrity and the future of our young democracy.

Justice Simon Byabakama’s caution must be treated as a red alert — a call to prioritise peace over violence.

Vigilante groups have led to bloodshed in some countries like Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe and DR Congo, among other countries.

Also, the history of vigilantes in Uganda’s previous elections is a reminder of why we should avoid them. We should leave the issue of security to the state. Security is a state mandate, not a political toy.

The Police and sister agencies are constitutionally tasked with election security. Any parallel militia —whether branded as “youth brigades” or “vote protectors”— undermines this framework and risks escalating violence.

Political actors under different political parties must resist the temptation to militarise campaigns, lest we normalise the chaos seen in past elections on the African continent.

Claims that state security is partial are self-serving narratives that erode public trust.

As Byabakama rightly noted, such rhetoric breeds unnecessary tension. Uganda’s elections need credibility, not vigilantes policing polling stations.

The aspirations of any candidate or ambition cannot be achieved at the expense of national stability. It is the responsibility of every contender to mobilise supporters to vote, not to arm themselves.

The youth should not be used as pawns; peaceful participation in elections is the only avenue to express your aspirations.

Elections are a test of maturity, not muscle. Byabakama’s message is simple: Uganda’s peace is bigger than any candidate’s ambition.

Let 2026 be remembered for credible polls, not carnage.

Negative impact of vigilante groups

Uganda’s electoral history has been marred by the involvement of vigilante and militia groups, often leading to violence, voter intimidation, and erosion of public trust in the democratic process.

In the 2001 and 2006 elections, pro-government militia groups like the Kiboko Squad and Black Mambas were accused of attacking opposition supporters, particularly in urban strongholds. Clashes between these groups and opposition aligned youth resulted in fatalities and injuries.

In the 2021 elections, NUP’s “Egaali” vigilantes contributed to pre- and post-election violence.

These groups create a climate of fear, discouraging voter turnout — especially in opposition strongholds. Vigilantes often act as parallel security forces, raising questions about the impartiality of state institutions like the Police.

The 2021, elections saw reports of vigilantes disrupting vote tallying, fuelling claims of rigging and post-election protests.

Uganda’s laws (Article 208 of the Constitution) mandate that only state security organs can provide public safety. Vigilante groups operate outside this framework, making them illegal.

Many vigilante groups recruit unemployed youth, promising money or political favours. After elections, these youths are often abandoned, left with no skills but a history of violence.

The normalisation of electoral militias risks entrenching a cycle of political violence, making peaceful transitions harder to achieve.

Past elections show that vigilante groups do not enhance security — they destabilise it. The EC’s current warnings reflect lessons from this troubled history.

For 2026 to be different, political actors must reject militia politics and uphold lawful, peaceful campaigning.

Uganda’s democracy suffers when elections become a contest of armed factions rather than ideas. The EC’s stance is a necessary step toward breaking this cycle.

The writer is the honorary consul general of Eswatini Kingdom in Uganda