As the countdown to Uganda’s 2025/2026 general elections begins, the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has issued a sobering call for proactive measures to prevent electoral violence, citing recent turmoil within major political parties as an ominous signal of what could come.
During an Early Warning Conference held in Kampala this week, the UHRC brought together political leaders, civil society actors, security forces, and members of the public to collectively assess and respond to potential flashpoints ahead of the elections.
“The biggest problem in Uganda is that we don’t plan. And when we do, we don’t execute those plans,” said UHRC Commissioner Crispin Kaheru.
“We are changing strategy by early planning—anticipating what kind of risks are likely to come in 2026 and suggesting solutions now.”
The initiative follows weeks of chaotic internal party processes across the political spectrum, including within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), the National Unity Platform (NUP), the Democratic Party (DP), and other formations. Observers warn these incidents could escalate as the official campaign period approaches.
Political commentator Mwambutsya Ndebesa offered a blunt metaphor of Uganda’s governance framework, likening it to a computer with functional hardware but malfunctioning software.
“We have well-laid structures—institutions like the police, civil society, and election observers. But the spirit, the software that makes these institutions work, is missing,” Ndebesa said.
“The institutions are physically present but rarely perform their roles.”
Fellow analyst Dr. John Paul Kasujja warned that electoral manipulation could go beyond traditional forms of violence and bribery.
“This election is going to be deeply influenced by money, corruption, militarization, and digital tools like artificial intelligence and fake news,” he said, warning that these forces could act as catalysts for unrest if not checked early.
Despite the grim assessments, there was a consensus that Uganda still has time to prevent crisis—if relevant institutions act with integrity and foresight.
Stakeholders urged the government to guarantee the independence of electoral bodies, rein in the use of state security agencies in partisan affairs, and foster genuine dialogue among political actors.
The Early Warning Conference marks a rare step toward pre-emptive risk management in Uganda’s often reactionary political environment.
Whether the momentum will translate into meaningful reform ahead of what is expected to be one of the country’s most contested elections remains to be seen.