The Uganda Police Force has assured the nation that the current security posture across the country is aimed solely at safeguarding the democratic process as Ugandans prepare to vote in the forthcoming general presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for Thursday.
Speaking during Spotlight Uganda hosted by NBS Television on Sunday under the theme, ‘Building Trust between Security Agencies and Citizens during Elections’; Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Kituuma Rusoke emphasized that the country is not facing a crisis, but rather undertaking a critical national exercise that requires heightened vigilance.
“We are not at any crossroads. We are simply in a situation where we are having a very important activity going on. The citizens of Uganda will make big decisions,” he said.
Rusoke explained that the visible security deployment is consistent with the constitutional mandate of security agencies to provide a safe environment for citizens to freely exercise their right to vote.
“Whatever security posture you are observing is in line with our responsibility. Our primary responsibility is to provide a secure ground for Ugandans to exercise their constitutional right to vote,” he said.
Rusoke further highlighted that election-related security operations are intelligence-led and coordinated across multiple agencies. He explained that intelligence assessments sometimes point to threats with both internal and external dimensions, necessitating collaboration beyond the Police Force.
“In any given security operation, there is an intelligence component. If intelligence tells you that you will have an internal threat originating from an external locus, you will need the input of the External Security Organisation (ESO), the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), and its extended operations,” he said.
According to Rusoke, threats are continuously assessed and classified based on their severity, ranging from intermediary to highly serious, and each level requires an appropriate response.
“Our threats have different levels of projection. Some are very serious while others are intermediary. We need to work together as security agencies,” he said.
Rusoke underscored the importance of deploying adequate manpower and resources to ensure the safety of voters, candidates, electoral officials, and critical national infrastructure throughout the election period.
“Without any doubt, we need as much of a force as possible to handle this election. We need to secure vital installations,” he said.
Rusoke reiterated the Uganda Police Force’s commitment to professionalism, inter-agency cooperation, and neutrality, calling on members of the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and cooperative with security personnel as the country heads to the polls.
