By Jumah Kakomo
The opposition Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has called on its members, supporters, well-wishers, and the general public to actively and responsibly participate in the ongoing campaigns ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The call was made on Wednesday by the party’s Head of Media and Communications, Faizo Muzeyi, who emphasized that campaign interactions are essential in enabling voters to make informed decisions when casting their ballots. He urged the public to treat the campaign period with seriousness, noting that effective engagement between candidates and voters is a cornerstone of democratic processes.
Muzeyi also commended the UPC leadership at all levels for their continued support of party candidates contesting for various political positions across the country. He said the spirit of unity and comradeship demonstrated within the party should be sustained until election day. He further stressed that protecting votes cast in favor of UPC candidates—and ensuring they are announced and declared without intimidation—is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders involved in the electoral process.
However, Muzeyi expressed concern over what he described as “ugly scenes” witnessed during the ongoing campaigns, involving security forces, candidates, and journalists. He said such incidents create unnecessary tension and mistrust, sometimes escalating into violence that could otherwise be avoided.
“Campaigns ought to be orderly and peaceful in the spirit of democratic electoral processes, which are primarily based on dialogue and interaction,” Muzeyi said. “For our elections to be respected and to maintain integrity, the playing field must be level.”
He also noted that UPC joins other stakeholders in condemning acts of brutality against a journalist from BBS Television/CBS who was reportedly assaulted while covering a campaign rally in the Sebei sub-region. According to Muzeyi, the journalist’s equipment was damaged after he was rounded up and manhandled by several security officers.
Muzeyi described the incident as unacceptable and called for a thorough investigation to prevent similar occurrences in the future. He appealed to all parties to prepare for the polls scheduled for January 15, 2026, in a peaceful and transparent manner.
“This type of violence is uncalled for and must be addressed decisively,” he said. “Let us ensure the electoral process is conducted calmly, freely, and fairly.”
