Elections are not a do or die, maintain peace – Gen. Katumba Wamala to Ugandans
By Moses Oketayot
The Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, has rallied Ugandans to maintain peace during the election period, adding that Uganda is not the first and last country to hold an election.
He made these remarks on Friday while presiding over the handover of the site of the Electoral Commission headquarters in Lweza Lubowa to be used for the nomination of presidential candidates on 23rd and 24th September 2025.
He further added that everyone has a right and freedom to support a political party of their choice during the general elections, which will take place in February 2026, adding that without peace, it is hard to do anything, making reference to the late 1970s and 80s, when the country had many occurrences of insecurity, making it hard for people to live peacefully.
Gen Katumba Wamala also lauded the National Housing Corporation Company for proving their doubters wrong and delivering the premises in time.
It’s only the first phase, done in six weeks, and the next phase will resume after the elections.
Katumba Wamala also called on the Uganda Police to start planning ahead for traffic flow for the nomination days with detailed guidelines.
According to the National Housing Corporation Company Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Kenneth Kaijuka, the site will be handed back to the contractor after the presidential nominations are complete on 23rd and 24th September, respectively, for more work to continue since the same will be used as a national tally center.
He added that the 10-acre site is ready for use by the Electoral Commission for two crucial activities.
The Electoral Commission Chairperson, Justice Simon Mugyenyi Byabakama, in his remarks thanked the government of Uganda for availing the funds for the Commission headquarters for the betterment of the governance of the country.
He thanked also the Ministry of Works for steering the process and ensuring that it is ready for electoral activities.
The Electoral Commission having its own home shows that the government is committed to enabling Ugandans to have a voice on their respective leaders,” he added.
Byabakama also noted that adjustments have been made on campaigns, whereby it has been moved forward from 4th October 2025 to 29th September 2025 for presidential candidates.
Nomination dates for Members of Parliament have also been moved forward to 22nd and 23rd October in their various electoral areas.
As the nomination days draw closer, the Commission is scrutinizing and verifying the forms returned by the aspirants, and they will work ahead of time to ensure that they meet all the requirements.
Candidates nominated on the two days will be allowed to hold small rallies with their supporters but won’t be allowed to campaign and will have to wait until 29th September. But they have to comply with security and traffic guidelines by writing to the Uganda Police.
Among the political parties that have notified the police in writing are the National Unity Platform (NUP) and the National Resistance Movement (NRM), which will hold their rallies at Katwe Sports and Kololo Independence Grounds, respectively.
