President Museveni has urged individuals violating Uganda’s laws to desist, saying citizens must be allowed to freely choose their leaders without intimidation as the country prepares for the 2026 general elections.
The President’s message was delivered by the State Minister for ICT, Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, during the Christmas service held on December 25, 2025, at Namirembe Cathedral in Kampala.
In the message, Museveni warned against corruption and election-related intimidation, emphasizing the need for a peaceful and inclusive electoral process. “Ugandans should be allowed to elect the leaders they want without threats or discrimination,” the message read.
The Christmas service, which began at 10:00 a.m., was attended by the Queen of Buganda, Sylvia Nagginda, officials from the Buganda Kingdom, and representatives of the central government.
Leading the service, the Bishop of Namirembe, Rt Rev Moses Banja, strongly condemned bloodshed, human rights violations, corruption, and land grabbing, warning that the vices continue to undermine peace and justice in the country.
“We cannot build a peaceful nation when bloodshed, corruption, and injustice persist among us,” Bishop Banja said, calling for restraint and respect for human rights as Uganda approaches the 2026 elections.
The Bishop also expressed concern over widespread land grabbing and corruption, noting that even religious institutions are no longer spared. He prayed for an end to the practices, saying they threaten social harmony and moral values.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Buganda Lukiiko, Patrick Luwagga Mugumbule, delivered the Kabaka’s Christmas message, urging the Electoral Commission to rein in the electoral process and curb excessive campaign spending.
“The Kabaka calls on voters to choose leaders of integrity and reject those who seek leadership through bribery,” Mugumbule said.
Representing the central government, Minister Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo reiterated President Museveni’s message, condemning corruption and intimidation and calling for free, fair, and peaceful elections.
The service concluded with prayers for national unity, peaceful elections in 2026, and an end to corruption and injustice in Uganda.
