By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
As the 2026 general elections are close to the eyeshot, opposition political parties have raised alarms about the rise in electoral violence in the country.
In Uganda, elections are always marred by extreme violence, vote rigging, voter bribery and intimidation something which political experts says defranchize people of their electoral rights.
Pointing out security misconduct in the recently concluded Kawempe North by-election, Sharon Oyat Arach, the spokesperson of Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) expressed worries over the safety and security of Ugandans in the 2026 elections.
“What happened in Kawempe North by-election on March 13th, is a precursor to 2026, which should be discouraged at all costs,” Arach explained stating that NRM is the author of electoral rigging and violence in Uganda.
Arach criticized police and military activities in the by-election such as arbitrary arrests, assault and torture of journalists and supporters of opposition politicians, calling for complete abolition of the army from elections.
“UPC retaliates its call that the army should be completely removed from our electoral processes and only maintain police whose main role is to keep law and order, with specified clear roles in elections under the control of the independent electoral commission,” Arach said.
UPC observed that Uganda is a multi party country which should allow a conducive environment for all political parties. The party argued citizens to fight for their electoral rights from interferences ahead of the 2026/31 elections.
“As Ugandans, you need to rise up and fight for your rights and freedom,” Arach argued.
