The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has launched an Election Watch and Rapid Response Mechanism for the 2026 general elections, citing a history of human rights violations and electoral violence, and warning that recent campaign developments point to a continued risk of abuse.
Addressing journalists on Monday, ULS Vice President Anthony Asiimwe said the initiative comes as the country enters the final phase of preparations for the 2026 polls, with voting set to take place on Thursday 15th.
“As the national bar association, we felt it was pertinent and important to address the public and other stakeholders given what has been happening during this electoral period,” Asiimwe said, noting that ULS has a statutory duty to intervene where the rule of law and constitutionalism are threatened.
Asiimwe said Uganda’s recent electoral history, particularly the 2021 general elections, was marked by “persistent and grave human rights violations,” including arbitrary arrests, detentions, abductions of opposition supporters and the excessive use of force by security agencies.
He cited the November 2020 security operations during opposition-led protests, which resulted in the killing of at least 54 people and the disappearance of hundreds of supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP).
He said the incidents violated the rights to life, personal liberty, freedom of assembly and freedom from torture and cruel or degrading treatment.
According to Asimwe, the human rights situation has since deteriorated, with a shrinking civic space, increased suppression of dissent and systematic targeting of opposition politicians, human rights defenders, journalists and government critics.
He pointed to violence and alleged electoral fraud during the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries held in July, as well as the Kawempe North by-election in March 2025, which he said was characterised by attacks on journalists, posing a “grave threat to press freedom and the public’s right to information.”
Asiimwe further raised concern over what he described as unlawful public pronouncements by some security personnel instructing voters not to remain at polling stations after casting their ballots, warning that such directives violate electoral laws and undermine transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.
He said ULS derives its mandate from the Uganda Law Society Act, Cap 305, which obliges the organisation to protect and assist the public in matters related to the law. He added that free, fair and credible elections are a cornerstone of constitutional democracy and directly implicate fundamental rights and freedoms.
Under the new mechanism, ULS has mobilised more than 6,000 advocates across the country to serve as election observers and legal monitors. A standardised reporting tool has been rolled out to enable advocates to document incidents of electoral malpractice, human rights violations and abuse of power, and submit reports in real time.
“These reports will provide a credible evidentiary basis for timely legal intervention and engagement with relevant authorities,” Asiimwe said.
He said ULS has also established a central election monitoring unit to coordinate observation, documentation and legal response nationwide.
As part of the rapid response component, ULS has constituted teams of advocates to offer immediate pro bono legal services to victims of election-related violations. A toll-free hotline, 0800 355 355, will operate throughout the electoral period to receive reports of arbitrary arrests, detentions, abductions, violence, intimidation and violations against journalists, political actors and voters.
Upon receiving reports, Asimwe said ULS will link victims to advocates within their localities or deploy appropriate legal interventions to secure their rights and safety.
He said the overall objective of the initiative is to promote accountability, protect human rights and strengthen the rule of law by documenting violations, providing legal assistance, deterring impunity and pursuing legal action against perpetrators.
“As ULS, we affirm our constitutional and statutory duty to stand with the people of Uganda in defence of democracy, human rights and the rule of law,” Asiimwe said.
He called on all advocates to actively participate in reporting electoral irregularities from wherever they are voting or residing.
