By Kabuye Ronald
General David Muhoozi, the State Minister for Internal Affairs, has urged Ugandans, civil society organizations, and all key stakeholders to support government efforts in ensuring a peaceful electoral process ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Representing General Kahinda Otafiire, the Minister for Internal Affairs, at the commemoration of the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture held in Kampala on Thursday, General Muhoozi emphasized the government’s commitment to a stable and violence-free election.
“We shall have a peaceful election come 2026. Everyone must play their part. The public has rights, but also obligations to obey the law. If we all fulfill our responsibilities, we can achieve a stable electoral process,” Muhoozi said.
Addressing concerns over security personnel accused of brutality, the Minister clarified that such acts are often the actions of individuals acting independently, rather than official government policy.
“Whenever torture is discussed, it’s often attributed to the government. However, many of these incidents are not organized or sanctioned—they are carried out by individuals, many of whom come from within our own communities,” he added.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Kabumba Busingye, Director of the Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC), called for strict penalties for perpetrators of torture and electoral violence as a deterrent to future violations.
“Given our country’s history and the current context, imagining elections without violence in Uganda may seem like an illusion. The Commission of Inquiry into human rights violations between 1962 and 1986 revealed horrifying instances of torture. While Article 24 of the 1995 Constitution prohibits torture, its implementation has been lacking,” he said.
Lady Justice Mariam Wangadya, Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), in a message delivered by Lamex Omara Apitta, reiterated UHRC’s commitment to working with all stakeholders to ensure peaceful, rights-respecting elections.
“To the media and civil society: your mandate is to shine a light on injustice. To the security agencies: your power should be used to protect the vulnerable, not to instill fear. And to the Electoral Commission: the future of Uganda’s democratic development hinges on your ability to guarantee violence-free elections,” she said.
Julius Mucunguzi, spokesperson of the Independent Electoral Commission, emphasized the importance of mutual respect and equality under the law.
“For Uganda to achieve a peaceful 2026 electoral process, we must treat each other with respect. The Electoral Commission is engaging in this dialogue to address election-related violence. Free, fair, and transparent elections are the responsibility of every Ugandan. Elections are not a do-or-die affair; they are not a time for war,” he said.
Mucunguzi also called on political leaders to promote peace and unity rather than division.
Samuel Herbert Nsubuga, Chairperson of the Coalition Against Torture, urged all stakeholders to join hands in promoting non-violent elections.
The dialogue, held at Golf Course Hotel in Kampala, was conducted under the theme: “A Torture and Violence-Free Election for All, by All.”
