The head of the State House Investors Protection Unit, Colonel Edith Nakalema, has urged student leaders to champion peace and stability as Uganda prepares for the general elections.
Speaking after a meeting with leaders from 39 universities and tertiary institutions, Col Nakalema emphasized the critical influence of young leaders over thousands of students and the wider youth population.
“As upcoming leaders who will one day take over the offices we occupy today, we appealed to them to keep the peace and ensure that the stability the country is enjoying is preserved,” Nakalema said.
She noted that young people constitute the majority of Uganda’s population, placing greater responsibility on student leadership to prevent violence during the election period.
Nakalema welcomed the formation of a Guild Leaders Network, which coordinates student leaders to discourage violence and provides a platform for promoting peaceful engagement and responsible leadership across institutions.
“With elections approaching, student leaders must act as ambassadors of peace in their institutions, workplaces, and communities,” she said.
“The country is already at peace, and we don’t expect violence during these elections.”
Maj. Gen. Moses Rwakitarate, Coordinator of National Vital Assets and Strategic Installations, also addressed youth leaders, urging them to vote in large numbers while maintaining peace. He stressed that every vote matters and warned against voter apathy, particularly in rural areas.
“Everyone must go out and vote. Every vote counts. Even those in the villages who think their vote does not matter — that is not true,” Rwakitarate said.
He added that government and security agencies have issued clear instructions for citizens to uphold peace throughout the electoral process and that voting should never involve violence or disruption.
The senior military officer encouraged young people to participate without fear, emphasizing that patriotism and love for country are essential drivers of integrity and responsible citizenship.
Uganda is scheduled to hold general elections on January 15, 2026, with authorities continuously urging citizens, especially youth, to exercise their right to vote peacefully and uphold law and order.
