A head of the 2025/2026 General Elections, the Electoral Commission has warned all political parties, candidates and supporters against deploying unofficial “voter protector” gangs or loosely organized teams claiming to guard and oversee voting.
The Electoral Commission has emphasized that only accredited polling agents are permitted to observe the voting and counting processes.
Any attempt to bring in large groups, wear distinct uniforms or jackets, or behave as informal “protection” squads will be treated as a breach of the law, and will attract enforcement action including arrest or removal by security forces.
The Commission has stressed that such practices jeopardize the fairness, secrecy and orderliness of polling stations.
Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon revealed that the Commission is well-advanced in its preparations for the 2026 General Elections.
Major milestones have been met including demarcation of Local Government electoral areas, a nationwide update and public display of the National Voters Register; elections of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) committees from the village to national levels and Nominations for presidential, parliamentary and local government seats have also been completed.
The EC reported that Uganda has now 21,681,491 registered voters, with women making up 53% and men 47%.
Administrative mapping including districts, counties, constituencies, sub-counties, parishes, villages and polling stations has been finalized, laying the groundwork for logistical deployment on polling day.
Despite the positive progress, the EC expressed concern over rising incidents of campaign misconduct across the country.
The Commission condemned unauthorized processions, illegal rallies, destruction of campaign posters, and other disruptive activities.
According to Justice Byabakama, such behavior threatens public order and undermines voters’ rights to a peaceful and free electoral environment.
The commission has already convened two meetings with presidential candidates’ agents and security agencies to address emerging complaints.
The Electoral Commission has urged all stakeholders, candidates, political parties, supporters, security agencies, civil society, media, and the general public to commit to peaceful, lawful, and respectful participation.
Byabakama added that only legally accredited polling agents will observe or assist at polling stations and No any parallel “voter-protector” is allowed at the polling station and this lies outside the legal provisions.
The Commission will take swift action against violations to ensure a credible, inclusive, and transparent 2026 General Election, said Mr Byabakama.
Polling stations will strictly admit only authorized individuals including election officers, polling assistants, accredited agents, observers, official security personnel, voters and media.
Use of uniforms, jackets or badges by unauthorized persons at polling centers will be considered a breach of law and order, said Electoral commission report.
The Commission calls on all actors to respect the law, uphold fairness, and ensure that voter protection does not morph into intimidation or unofficial enforcement.(By PEACOCK KAWEESA & Agencies)
