Presidential envoy urges youth to respect security during elections

12 January 2026, 8:50 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Special Envoy of the President of Uganda on Buganda Affairs, Joseph Mukasa Sewava, has urged young people not to provoke security agencies during and after the forthcoming general elections scheduled for 15 January 2026.

Sewava made the remarks during special prayers held at Kitebi Primary School playground, where he encouraged all eligible Ugandans to vote and then return home to allow the electoral process to proceed smoothly.

“We have gathered here today to dedicate this day to prayer for our country, and particularly for our presidential candidate, Yoweri Museveni, to win the elections. We remind everyone, especially young people, that after voting, they should go back home. As the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, recently advised, once you are done voting, just go home. Polling agents will be present at every station to oversee the process,” Sewava said.

He added that members of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) have mobilised support across the country and expressed confidence that the party will retain leadership for another five years.

Religious leaders who attended the event also called on citizens to participate in the elections while maintaining peace and order.

Participants commended Sewava for organising the prayers, emphasising the need for peaceful elections and urging voters to vacate polling stations after casting their ballots due to limited space. “Uganda is our only country, and we must protect it. Elections should not divide us,” they said.

Meanwhile, the Uganda Police Force has defended its nationwide deployment during a weekly briefing at its Naguru headquarters in Kampala, stating that the presence of security personnel is intended to protect citizens from attacks during and after the elections.

The police response follows public concerns over security arrangements in the city.