As parliamentary and local government campaigns officially kicked off across the country today, the Ibanda Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Godfrey Mbetegyereize, has warned political supporters against attending rallies of rival parties, saying such actions could provoke violence and threaten public order.
Addressing the media on Monday, Mbetegyereize said that supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) should not attend rallies organized by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) or any other political group—and vice versa—stressing that such behavior is a recipe for chaos.
“We have observed that when supporters of one party attend rallies of another, it provokes anger and can easily lead to violence,” he said. “Let everyone remain at their party’s campaign events to avoid unnecessary clashes.”
The RDC further cautioned individuals against attempting to disrupt the campaigns of parties they do not belong to, warning that the law would take its course.
“Anyone found destabilizing a campaign where they are not supposed to be will be arrested and dealt with according to the law,” Mbetegyereize warned.
He acknowledged that some incidents of violence had occurred during party primaries but emphasized that there would be zero tolerance for such acts during the ongoing campaigns.
“We witnessed some violence during the primaries, but this time there will be no tolerance. We want a peaceful and orderly campaign season,” he noted.
Mbetegyereize also appealed to all aspirants to strictly follow the Electoral Commission guidelines and maintain discipline throughout the campaign period.
“Candidates should adhere to the Electoral Commission’s regulations and conduct themselves responsibly to ensure peaceful campaigns ahead of the 2026 general elections,” he said.
The RDC’s message comes as Uganda enters a critical phase of the electoral season, with political activities intensifying across the country.
According to the Electoral Commission’s roadmap, parliamentary and local government campaigns—including those for Special Interest Groups (SIGs)—are scheduled to run from November 10, 2025, to January 12, 2026.