LC1, Women Council Elections: Police warn against electoral violations
Kituuma said the force is taking the elections seriously and has already started preparing commanders across the country to handle security challenges that may arise during the exercise.
Kituuma Rusoke, Police spokesperson, addressing journalists during a press conference at Uganda Police Force headquarters in Naguru on 20th July 2026. (Photo by Juliet Kasirye)
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Police have assured the public that they are prepared to secure the forthcoming Local Council (LC1) and Women Council elections, saying elaborate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process.
Addressing a press conference at Police Headquarters in Naguru, Kampala today morning (July 20), Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said the force is taking the elections seriously and has already started preparing commanders across the country to handle security challenges that may arise during the exercise.
Kituuma said the Inspector General of Police, Abas Byakagaba, last Friday convened a high-level meeting at Police Headquarters in Naguru where the Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byamukama delivered a keynote address to security leaders ahead of the polls.
The engagement brought together Directors of the Uganda Police Force, heads of specialised units, heads of departments, Regional Police Commanders, District Police Commanders, as well as officers from the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and Crime Intelligence.
The meeting focused on strengthening coordination between security agencies and the Electoral Commission, improving security planning and ensuring operational readiness ahead of the LC1 and Women Council elections.
Kituuma said the Electoral Commission Chairperson outlined its expectations of the Police and highlighted areas likely to require heightened security attention.
He said the meeting discussed a number of issues regarding election security, and assured the public that Police would deploy the necessary resources to guarantee safety.
“We take this election very seriously, and we are actively making all the preparations necessary to secure it,” Kituuma said.
The Police spokesperson warned candidates and supporters against violating electoral guidelines, including holding illegal processions and campaigning outside the approved timelines.
He said security agencies would enforce all guidelines issued by the Electoral Commission.
“We expect candidates to follow the guidelines, but we shall also not hesitate to enforce them. We are under strict necessity to ensure that all guidelines that have been issued are obeyed,” Kituuma said.
Friday meeting
The meeting also addressed wider security challenges, including rural and urban crime, particularly the theft of livestock and agricultural produce.
The police chief directed commanders to maximise the use of existing crime-fighting infrastructure, including canine units, Closed Circuit Television camera systems and communication equipment, to strengthen crime prevention and investigations.
He warned officers against indiscipline, saying stern action would be taken against any personnel found violating professional standards.
Byakagaba further tasked commanders to strengthen community policing initiatives and remain vigilant in protecting government programmes, including the Parish Development Model.
The meeting also received an update on the rollout of the sub-county Policing Model, with Police reporting that 200 police stations have so far been constructed to the required standards and are operational, while construction of additional facilities is ongoing.
Police also revealed that more than 7,000 newly passed-out Probationer Police Constables have been deployed to sub-counties across the country, boosting police presence at the grassroots level.
Kituuma said the deployment will support security operations, including election preparedness and crime prevention at community level.