As Uganda’s presidential campaigns entered their second week, political contenders continue to trade accusations over how the vote-hunting process is unfolding.
It has been eight days since the eight confirmed presidential aspirants kicked off their campaigns ahead of the 2026 general elections.
While the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) insists that everything is running smoothly, opposition figures are decrying what they call growing cases of intimidation and obstruction by security forces targeting their candidates.
Although NRM leaders maintain that the process is on track, opposition politicians accuse security agencies of frustrating their efforts to reach voters. Mukono Municipality MP and Shadow Minister for Internal Affairs, Betty Nambooze Bakireke, claims that during the first week of campaigns, their presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu was repeatedly blocked by security personnel, tear-gassed on several occasions, and prevented from meeting his supporters in various areas.
However, NRM’s Godfrey Kiwanda Ssuubi insists that the campaigns are well-organized and proceeding as planned.
He said the activities on the ground reflect exactly what the Electoral Commission had prepared for, a sentiment echoed by the Commission’s spokesperson, Julius Mucunguzi.
Kiwanda added that last week’s events demonstrated how elections can be conducted peacefully without chaos or violence, despite allegations of voter bribery and disorganization raised by the opposition.
According to the Electoral Commission, the presidential candidates are expected to campaign for a total of 98 days, with no two candidates allowed to be in the same area on the same day.
Today, contenders are scheduled to hold rallies in different regions across the country as they continue their push for votes.