Ugandan leaders call for peaceful polls

The general elections are here, and religious leaders, political parties, and government officials nationwide have appealed to citizens to embrace peace and calm, from the casting of ballots to the final declaration of results by the Electoral Commission, Vision Reporters write.

Ugandans will go to the polls on January 15, 2026, to elect the president and members of parliament.

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, urged Ugandans to participate in peaceful elections, but warned that the Electoral Commission’s (EC) directive barring voters from remaining near polling stations after casting their ballots could create fear and discourage voter turnout.

Kaziimba made the remarks on Sunday while addressing key stakeholders, including EC officials, police and representatives of political parties at the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) headquarters in Kampala.

“Proactive, balanced and authoritative communication by the Opposition is essential to defuse risks, distinguish lawful mobilisation from violence and affirm the right to peaceful protest and observation,” Kaziimba said.

Kaziimba, who is also the IRCU head, asked EC and the Police to clarify their position on voters’ presence around polling stations, noting that the law (Section 31 of the Presidential Elections Act) allows voters to keep a minimum distance of 20 metres from the ballot marking table.

Kazimba called on the Police and EC to promote messages of peace, urging all eligible Ugandans to confidently exercise their constitutional right to vote in the forthcoming elections.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
The Archbishop of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere, encouraged Ugandans to participate in this year’s elections to vote and elect leaders of their choice. “Be calm, be peaceful, avoid violence during the electoral period, and choose the right and God-fearing, respectful and human rights candidate who can fight corruption.”

He specifically urged citizens to ensure a peaceful election. The Archdiocese of Kampala and Episcopal Conference declared a prayer for peaceful election and asked Ugandans to recite it and said that the Episcopal Conference has already guided us before.
“We pray for good elections and uphold peace as the country approaches the 2026 elections.”

The Electoral Commission chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, said the commission expects peaceful elections and that every valid vote cast will be counted.
He cited lessons from the 2021 elections, when disorder at some polling stations led to the loss of voting materials and the non-release of results, saying the commission will not allow voters to remain at polling stations to ensure peaceful elections.

CAMPAIGN MATERIALS
Byabakama reminded voters that campaign materials, such as national flags, party attire and other promotional items are prohibited at polling stations on voting day, as stipulated by electoral laws.

The Inspector General of Police Abbas Byakagaba said police is prepared to ensure peaceful elections, adding that the force is mandated by the EC to manage the electoral process.

Dr Lina Zedriga, the National Unity Platform (NUP) vice-president in charge of northern Uganda, said calls for a “protest vote” by the party were not intended to incite violence, but to promote voter solidarity.

Michael Osinde, a national workers’ leader in the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), called for a unified approach to election management.

CULTURAL LEADERS
The Lango Paramount Chief, Michael Odongo Okune, urged security agencies, political leaders and all stakeholders in the Lango sub-region to uphold peace and stability during elections.

In a message shared with various media houses, Okune underscored the importance of maintaining law and order before, during and after the elections, noting that peaceful electoral processes are essential for democracy and sustainable development in the region.

Okune called on security organs deployed during the elections to work closely with cultural and religious leaders to ensure peaceful polls.
On January 12, 2026, Buganda youths under their umbrella body, the Baganda Nkoba za Mbogo Students Association, were urged to act as agents of peace during the electoral period.

PROVOCATIONS
During the engagement, the Uganda Police Force Director of Crime Intelligence, Maj. Gen. Christopher Ddamulira, cautioned the youths against identity-based provocation, negative political expression, crowd formation and confrontations.
The Inspector General of Government, Aisha Naluzze, encouraged the youth to vote for leaders who demonstrate desirable conduct and integrity.

While concluding his campaign on January 11, 2026, at Okut Primary School in Ajuri county, Alebtong district, the Government Chief Whip, Denis Hamson Obua, urged Ugandans to approach the general elections with peace, love and unity.

GREATER MASAKA
Religious leaders from the Greater Masaka region appealed to Ugandan citizens not to engage in election-related violence and riots that may plunge the nation into past turmoil.

In a joint statement dated January 8, 2026, the clergy under the Inter-religious Council for Greater Masaka cautioned the electorate to vote wisely for the sake of protecting the peace and stability that has propelled the progress of the nation.

Bishop Gaster Nsereko of the West Buganda Diocese said: “Let us vote for good and responsible leaders who will protect the citizens, properties, and other achievements.”
Bishop Nsereko asked candidates who may not make it to concede defeat and to avoid avenging outcomes.

Sheikh Muhamed Ssemakadde from the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council appealed to security agencies and the general public to protect the journalists against any form of abuse that may affect their professional duty.

Addressing journalists on Monday at Masulita town in Wakiso district, the NRM mobiliser, Ssalongo Namwanja Muwada, said it was risky for the NUP presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, to advise his supporters to defy the EC directives to return home after casting their votes.

Muwada also asked leaders at various levels to send out messages to counter NUP slogans like “protest vote” or “protect your votes,” which he said may be misleading and likely to land the young people in uncalled-for confrontations with the security authorities.

ORTHODOX CHURCH
During the prayer service held on Sunday at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Namungoona, Kampala, Metropolitan Jeronymos Muzeeyi called for unity to prevail over division, dialogue over confrontation and justice over selfish interests before, during, and after the elections.

Multiparty democracy
During the National Peace Conference on the 2026 general elections, the Netherlands Institute for Multi-party Democracy resolved to uphold the law, promote dialogue and preventive engagement, act professionally and neutrally, and ensure integrity and transparency throughout the electoral process. In their communiqué, the members also pledged to restore responsible media practices, safeguard information integrity and uphold collective accountability.

The resolution was adopted at the conference held on December 11, 2025, under the theme “Dialogue, Trust and Transparency: Keys to Peaceful Elections.” Attendees included officials from the Uganda Police Force, the Electoral Commission and religious and cultural leaders who deliberated on strategies to ensure Uganda’s 2026 general elections are peaceful, credible, and inclusive.

Compiled by Michael Odeng, Wilfred Sanya, Stuart Yiga, Patrick Okino, Dismus Buregyeya, Eddie Ssejjoba, Dickson Kulumba, Henry Nsubuga and Juliet Lukwago