Give all candidates space to campaign – Busoga bishop urges security

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As Uganda prepares for the 2026 general elections, the Bishop of Busoga Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Can. Prof. Grace Lubaale has appealed to security agencies to refrain from blocking candidates from campaigning and instead allow all aspirants equal space to canvass for votes peacefully.

The Bishop reminded security officers that their core mandate is to facilitate a peaceful electoral process, not to fuel tension or violence by restricting political activities.

“My call to security is that they shouldn’t block anyone from campaigning; their work is to facilitate candidates to hold peaceful campaigns by giving all space,” he said.

Bishop Grace Lubaale in a group photograph with some members of the Parish council committee at his maiden service which he led at Christ's Cathedral Bugembe in Jinja northern city division on Sunday. (Photo by Jackie Nambogga)

Bishop Lubaale made the remarks on the sidelines of leading his maiden service at Christ’s Cathedral, Bugembe, the Busoga diocesan headquarters, located in Jinja City, Northern Division, on Sunday.

He was consecrated and enthroned on December 14, 2025, at a ceremony presided over by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stephen Kazimba, and attended by Vice President Jessica Alupo, who represented President Yoweri Museveni.

During the Sunday prayers, Bishop Lubaale emphasised that campaign periods provide voters with the only opportunity to listen carefully and attentively to candidates, enabling them to make informed decisions on polling day.

“Let security give everyone a chance to campaign to enable the electorates to listen to the candidates’ messages carefully and attentively to enable them to make informed decisions on the polling days,” he urged.

He also cautioned candidates to seek votes peacefully and ensure that their supporters do not provoke security agencies or engage in acts that could trigger violence.

In addition, the Bishop appealed to the Electoral body to allow citizens to observe the electoral process in line with established guidelines, rather than ordering them to leave polling stations unnecessarily.

According to Bishop Lubaale, elections inevitably produce winners and losers, and those who lose should accept the outcome and work together with the winners for the good of the country.

He noted that Uganda, as a democratic nation, holds elections every five years and urged unsuccessful candidates to wait until 2031 for another opportunity, in the interest of national continuity and stability.

Bishop Grace Lubaale and his wife cut and served christians with cake after their maiden service at the cathedral. (Photo by Jackie Nambogga)

The Jinja District Khadhi, Sheikh Ismail Basoga Addi, echoed similar sentiments, calling on Ugandans to avoid clashes during campaigns and to remember that the country belongs to all its citizens. He urged political players to exhibit maturity and uphold peaceful elections as a foundation for national progress.

“We are in a difficult situation of politicking where people are supporting different candidates, which has caused division. Our faith accepts separating ideologies but not to be divided where people clash and end up injuring each other,” he said.

Sheikh Addi warned against allowing political divisions to drag the country back into instability, citing examples from the region.

“We don’t want to witness what happened in the past; countries that have left children to hold guns and enter cities have not had peace up to now. Look at South Sudan; it might take it 50 years to stabilise. We shouldn’t be dragged back,” he cautioned.

He concluded by urging that everyone be given the freedom to support candidates of their choice to ensure the electoral process ends peacefully.