The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, has raised concerns about security during elections, emphasizing the need for adequate measures to maintain order while ruling out the presence of firearms at polling stations.
Speaking at the 10th Series of the Weekly Press and Public Engagement organized by the Uganda Law Society (ULS), Mao acknowledged that election security remains a challenge.
He noted that his recommendations for the Kawempe North by-election were not entirely safe for everyone, including trained security personnel.
“I do not expect firearms in a polling station. I expect batons. I expect radio calls to coordinate backup. There should be an encampment with personnel ready to respond quickly. I would not have minded seeing Mambas deployed, provided there was clear and present danger,” Mao stated.
He emphasized that senior security personnel are trained to protect themselves and others while managing threats effectively.
“By the time you are an SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police), you are trained to protect yourself and others and even to neutralize threats. We need a coalition to combat election violence,” he added.
Mao underscored the importance of dialogue among Ugandan leaders, attributing the country's troubled history to a lack of communication. He stated that many past conflicts could have been avoided through open discussions.
“I agree with those who say that if Ugandan leaders had talked to each other, we would not have the sad history we have endured. For instance, why couldn't the then-President of Uganda, Sir Edward Muteesa, and Dr. Obote have a conversation?” Mao said.
Regarding the Uganda Law Society (ULS), Mao stressed its role as a leading professional association and warned against diminishing its significance to serve individual interests.
“The Uganda Law Society is a pioneer and a premier professional association in Uganda. We should not reduce it to the level of any single individual. Instead, we must all rise to the stature of the Uganda Law Society,” he said.
Mao reiterated the government’s responsibility to protect and serve citizens, highlighting the President’s unique constitutional oath to promote citizens' welfare.
“It is the duty of the Ugandan government to serve and protect its citizens. The President takes a different oath from all of us. If you look at the Constitution, only the President’s oath includes the duty to promote the welfare of Ugandan citizens,” he explained.
Mao’s remarks come at a time of intense national debate on electoral reforms and governance, with calls for greater transparency and security in elections.
Dr. Sarah Bireete, the Executive Director of the Center for Constitutional Governance (CCG), criticized the military’s deployment in electoral processes.
“The law is clear on the army’s involvement in elections. Article 20(12) states that the Uganda Police can invite the army only in situations of emergency and disaster. What emergency or disaster was present in Kawempe?” Dr. Bireete questioned.
She further asserted that 80% of the violence witnessed during the by-election was caused by the army.
“We need to remove the army from elections because 80% of the violence in Kawempe was instigated by them,” she emphasized.
Several reports emerged of voter intimidation, arrests, and clashes between security forces and opposition supporters during the by-election.
Opposition politicians and human rights groups have long accused the government of militarizing elections, a claim authorities deny, maintaining that security deployments are necessary to maintain order.
Amid growing calls for electoral reforms, activists argue that demilitarizing elections is crucial to upholding democratic processes.
However, government officials insist that security forces act within the law to prevent electoral chaos.