Kampala Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere has raised a red flag on signs of intolerance, mudslinging by sections of the population, state actors and politicians ahead of the 2026 general election.
Elections of new leaders, according to the archbishop, are not about mudslinging opponents through deliberate manufacture of lies, engaging in acts of violence as a way of trying to win votes.
Violence at Kawempe North Nomination
The prelate says leaders should be able to present themselves as upright people from their respective communities.
“The recent violence exhibited at the nomination exercise for the Kawempe North Constituency candidates is an eye opener about acts that do not reflect a good election process. Some people including a journalist [Miracle Ibra of Top Television] were injured as some of the candidates got nominated,” he told Christians attending the 28th anniversary for Kasana-Luweero Diocese in Luweero District on March 2, 2025.
Greater Luweero Urged to Reject Political Violence
He urged residents of Greater Luweero to shun violence, given that they bore the brunt of the 1981-86 war in which hundreds of thousands of Ugandans were killed as Mr Yoweri Museveni and his National Resistance Army (NRA) rebels fought to take over power.
The Mistake of Political Violence in Luweero
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“For the people of the Greater Luweero areas, it would be a big mistake to allow any acts of violence as the country prepares for the 2026 election season. The sufferings that the people of the Greater Luweero went through because of political intolerance left big scars among the local population here. The President of Uganda has come out to condemn acts of intimidation, harassment and violence among political actors, but the same acts are repeatedly experienced even after such stun warning by the head of State,” he said.
The archbishop urged journalists to help the country by relaying President Museveni’s warning message against intimidation and harassment of political opponents because of differences in political beliefs.
He urged the faithful to pray for the Parliament of Uganda to pass laws that are in the interests of the general population.
NRM Caucus Discusses UPDF Act Amendments
Last week, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliament caucus convened at State House, Entebbe to harmonise the party position on the proposed amendments to the UPDF Act after the landmark Supreme Court ruling that stopped the military courts from trying civilians, among others. A section of the public are waiting to see how their members of Parliament will vote on the proposed amendment of the UPDF Act that reportedly seeks reinstate powers of the army to try civilians in their disciplinary tribunals.
State Minister for Higher Education Dr John Chrysostom Muyingo who represented the government urged the people in districts of Greater Luweero to practice mature politics and embrace hard work.
“ I encourage our people to actively participate in all development programmes, including politics. We should only elect people of good reputation,” he said.
