Uganda’s Electoral Commission recently held a meeting with Ambassodor Jan Sadek, the Head of the European Union mission in Uganda
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I In an effort to prevent potential violence and promote a peaceful electoral process in the lead-up to the 2026 general election, the Electoral Commission (EC) has initiated a partnership with the African Electoral Alliance (AEA).
The AEA will play a pivotal role in conducting civic education, primarily targeting the youth across the country. As the majority of the population and active participants in election-related activities, it is crucial to address the root causes of violence associated with the electoral process.
Richard Kamugisha, the Director of Operations at the Electoral Commission, emphasized that the electoral process itself is not the source of violence. Instead, violence often arises from pent-up frustration and misconceptions among supporters during the campaign period.
Kamugisha highlighted several key factors that contribute to electoral violence, including hate speech, blame games, and unrealistic promises made by political candidates as they campaign for various political positions.
Kamugisha made these remarks while representing the EC Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, at the official launch of the collaboration between the EC and AEA, which took place at Nican Hotel in Sseguku, Wakiso District, last week. The African Electoral Alliance is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan, and non-governmental organization with a fundamental objective of strengthening democratic institutions, electoral processes, and fostering a more sustainable, effective, and legitimate democracy.
According to Kamugisha, there is a common trend in many African countries, where people, especially the youth, take to the streets to demonstrate after the announcement of election results. He emphasized that these demonstrations often use the electoral process as a means to express grievances related to issues such as unemployment, economic hardships, high taxes, and limited access to essential services like healthcare.
Kamugisha stressed the importance of involving youth at all levels of the electoral process, not only because they represent the majority of the population but also because they are the potential leaders of today and tomorrow. By engaging and empowering the youth, the EC aims to prevent them from becoming pawns in election-related violence orchestrated by self-serving politicians.
The collaboration between the Electoral Commission and the African Electoral Alliance is a significant step toward ensuring a peaceful and fair electoral process in Uganda’s upcoming 2026 general election.
It focuses on addressing the underlying issues that contribute to electoral violence, and it underscores the importance of civic education, particularly among the youth, in building a more inclusive and peaceful democracy