It’s important to emphasize that elections are not a battleground – EC
EC Spokesperson Julius Muchunguzi, speaking on NTV Uganda’s Morning At NTV program, stated that the elections generally "went well across the country."
The Electoral Commission (EC) recently completed the first phase of its 2025/26 Special Interest Group (SIG) elections, conducting polls for Older Persons, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and Youth Committees at the village and cell levels.
While the EC claims the elections, aimed at bolstering representation for marginalized groups, largely proceeded smoothly, reports of isolated violence and accusations of bias are casting a shadow over the process.
EC Spokesperson Julius Muchunguzi, speaking on NTV Uganda’s Morning At NTV program, stated that the elections generally “went well across the country.” He acknowledged, however, that “a few incidents of violence were reported, particularly in urban centres.” Muchunguzi emphasized the importance of peaceful participation, reminding citizens that “elections are not a battleground” and urging them to “respect the law and uphold peace.”
However, the National Unity Platform (NUP) has raised serious concerns about the fairness and impartiality of the elections. Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, the NUP’s deputy spokesperson, argued that the EC has failed to live up to its mandate of conducting “free, fair, efficient, professional, and impartial elections.”
Mufumbiro cited specific examples of alleged bias and interference. “We encountered challenges from the very beginning,” he stated. “As the NUP party, our offices were attacked by security personnel. It took an entire month for us to receive clearance to hold our youth conference. Unfortunately, the situation on the ground sharply contrasts with the EC’s stated guidelines.”
The NUP’s allegations highlight a stark contrast between the EC’s assessment of a largely peaceful and orderly process and the experiences of at least one major political party. These contrasting perspectives raise questions about the extent to which the SIG elections accurately reflect the will of the people and whether the EC is adequately addressing concerns about neutrality and security during the electoral process.
The ongoing debate underscores the importance of ensuring a fair and transparent electoral environment for all Ugandans, particularly those belonging to Special Interest Groups, to ensure their voices are heard and their representation is genuine.
As the EC continues to implement its electoral roadmap for 2025/26, stakeholders will be closely watching to see if these concerns are addressed to ensure a more inclusive and democratic process.
