By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa Umoja, Standard.
Kampala, Uganda: At a High Level Stakeholders Dialogue on Human Rights and Elections organized by Uganda Human Rights Commission and the NGO Forum (UHRC) , at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala aimed at Safeguarding Rights, Fostering Trust, and Building Peaceful Elections, Hon. Mariam Fauzat Wangadya, the Chairperson UHRC urged all actors to make inclusion and dignity the foundation of Uganda’s 2026 elections.
“Elections are where every Ugandan feels seen and heard is already victorious,” Wangadya mentioned.
She challenged stakeholders to approach 2026 with vision, not division citing their responsibility is not to fear this revolution, but to guide it peacefully.”
Responding to public doubt, Justice Simon Byabakama, the Uganda Electoral Commission Chairperson revealed that, some Ugandans say, “Can we have a free and fair election with Byabakama in charge?’ My answer is, yes, we can, if every stakeholder works together.”
On peace and stability, Justice Byabakama noted: “The stability of our country is crucial to our democracy. All those involved in the electoral process must avoid actions that provoke violence.”
On Social media influence, he said, it can be a powerful tool if used responsibly, it should help promote peaceful and fair elections, not fuel division, but we misuse of it and this is a concern.
For Dr.Moses Isooba, Executive Director NGO Forum, singled out decline in Voter turnout largely because some people feel their votes no longer make a meaningful difference. “This belief has discouraged many from participating in elections, slowly weakening civic engagement.”
“Every Ugandan has an equal stake in the nation’s future. Let us not just talk of human rights, but live them.” Dr. Moses Isooba remarks.
He reminded particpants that it’s their duty as security personals to protect the electoral process not to police. Let uniforms be a symbol of service not fear.
In response, Maj. Gen. Henry Matsiko who represented the Chief of Joint Staff, Maj. Gen. Jack Bakasumba, stressed the lessons learnt from past elections, and reaffirmed UPDF’s commitment to building trust and ensuring secure, peaceful elections.
“We’re sensitizing citizens to work with security forces to guarantee a democratic process come 2026,” he noted.
The IGP Abbas Byakagaba’s keynote delivered by Commissioner of Police Dinah Kyasiimire, emphasized that human rights are engrained in police training and all policing operations must be according to the law.
As Uganda prepares for 2026, she reaffirmed the Police’s commitment to ensuring safe and peaceful elections, through enhanced training, discipline, accountability, and collaboration with all stakeholders.
However, Dr. Nansozi Suzie Muwanga l, Executive Director at the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC), Makerere University stressed that Uganda’s democratic challenge isn’t just organizing elections, but ensuring they’re free, fair, and transparent.
“Fairness underwrites peace. Without trust and civic education, democracy becomes an illusion,” said Dr. Muwanga.
In his presentation on Human Rights and Electoral Democracy in Uganda, Dr. Daniel Ruhweza, Senior Lecturer, School of Law Makerere University reminded particpants that human rights and democracy are inseparable.
“Respect for human rights is an essential element in the process of elections,” he observed.
He called for a national conversation as Uganda looks towards 2026. “We must have a difficult conversation about the setup of our current constitutional system.”
On Media matters, De Jong notes that Media freedom is a democratic necessity, stressing that protecting journalists and ensuring they work confidently builds public trust and strengthens democracy. He therefore called for unity and peace, reminding all that every Ugandan has a right to a peaceful election.
“We can’t talk democracy while silencing the press,” said journalist Derrick Wandera. He urged state institutions to resolve grievances through lawful means, not media blackouts, to preserve transparency and public trust.
