Byabakama warns candidates against violence, urges objective and realistic campaigns

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Electoral Commission (EC) chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama has asked presidential candidates, their agents and supporters to stick to campaign guidelines already issued by the Commission as the country draws closer to the 2026 General Election.

Meeting presidential candidates' agents at EC headquarters in Kampala city on December 3, 2025, Byabakama said that although the campaigns started peacefully, they have now turned chaotic with security deploying force in some instances to bring order.

Byabakama said the tone and behaviour of some of the candidates on the campaign trail risk undermining a process already strained by isolated but growing reports of violence.

"Let's mind about the lives of people around us. Let's not use inflammatory rhetoric and provocative language that could jeopardise the credibility of the 2026 vote. Candidates must deliver well-structured, purposeful, and realistic messages to voters rather than fuelling tension," he said.

Byabakama added that already a life has been lost, with several others injured in clashes between rival groups or in confrontations with security agencies. Some incidents have stemmed from processions that defy guidelines, especially the ban on large crowds marching along busy public roads.

“We cannot allow democracy that is soiled in the blood of the citizens of this country,” he said in a tone notably sharper than in previous briefings.

The meeting was attended by David Rubongoya of the National Unity Platform David Rubongoya and Benjamin Katana; National Resistance Movement represented by Moses Byaruhanga. Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) was represented by Augustine Ojobile, Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) by Rodgers Bichina and National Peasant Party by Frank Ssentongo, among others.

The meeting was also attended by the Police director of operations, Frank Mwesigwa.

Media locked out

The media were allowed in the meeting briefly before they were asked to leave.

Speaking to the agents, Byabakama revealed that the Commission has finalised the acquisition of Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVKs), which are central to the EC’s plan to improve transparency in the 2026 elections.

Final biometric voter machines shipped in

According to the EC chair, the final shipment of BVVKs arrived on Saturday, clearing the way for testing and demonstrations to political actors, media and civil society.

He said during the trials, the Commission will demonstrate the integrity of the system and assure the stakeholders that this time, there will be no ballot stuffing and rigging.

"We are going to call you people and demonstrate to you how this system or the machines can accurately verify every voter at the polling station. We have to sensitise the people and tell you as early as possible how it is going to function,” Byabakama explained, insisting the technology is intended to make the process “rigging-proof.”

On campaign hours, Byabakama noted that some candidates have faced undue obstruction even when attempting to follow the official routes and schedules approved by the EC.

Byabakama also criticised the growing practice of candidates airing grievances through the media instead of through the EC’s formal channels.

“Many of these matters are handled behind the scenes,” he said, citing cases where Resident District/City Commissioners (RADCs) allegedly obstructed candidates. According to him, the EC addresses such cases promptly with the relevant security and investigative agencies.

He urged political actors to embrace collective responsibility and avoid framing disagreements as evidence of systemic