Kampala – Uganda’s 2026 presidential campaigns have entered their fourth day, and so far, the electoral period has proceeded with relative calm, marking a sharp contrast to the tense and often violent campaigns of 2021.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has praised candidates and their supporters for adhering to the set guidelines.
EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi said the campaigns have largely been conducted without confrontations, with candidates following their agreed-upon route plans.
“Knowing that the conclusion of the nominations was on September 24, candidates, their agents, and supporters waited until campaigns were officially flagged off. We want to salute them for following the guidelines,” Mucunguzi said.
He noted that the first three days have been incident-free, with only minor issues regarding movement and procession routes.
The calm start has been observed across the country, particularly in the Eastern Region, where candidates have engaged supporters in rallies under the supervision of security forces.
Analysts have hailed the opening days as a positive signal for Uganda’s readiness to hold a democratic exercise.
“Ugandans want peaceful elections, but the environment is still fragile. The first days are usually symbolic—the real pressure builds as candidates gain momentum, security tightens, and competition heats up,” a political commentator said.
Opposition leaders, including presidential hopefuls from the Forum for Democratic Change, have expressed cautious optimism. In Iganga, one candidate successfully negotiated his route plan with security agencies without major disruptions.
Security remains a central concern. Uganda’s security forces have previously been criticized for heavy-handedness during campaigns, particularly in 2021, when several candidates were blocked from venues and clashes occurred between supporters and police.
Human rights groups are closely monitoring the 2026 campaigns, urging authorities to ensure that restrictions are applied fairly and do not infringe on political freedoms.
“The public deserves open, safe, and inclusive campaigns where every candidate can freely interact with voters,” the Uganda Human Rights Network for Journalists said in a statement.
Uganda heads to the polls in February 2026, with President Museveni seeking another term amid stiff competition from opposition figures, including National Unity Platform President Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert.
The three-month campaign season will see eight presidential hopefuls tour the country to promote their manifestos.
As rallies grow larger and rhetoric sharpens, both candidates and security forces remain under scrutiny.
For now, the calm start has raised hopes that Uganda may deliver a more peaceful election season than in recent cycles, testing not only the resilience of political institutions but also the maturity of the electorate.
