As Uganda’s general election campaign heats up ahead of polling day on January 15, 2026, a growing debate has emerged over whether voters should remain near polling stations after casting their ballots to observe the counting process and protect their votes.
The conversation has drawn remarks from political figures, security leadership, legal authorities, and electoral officials.
In Isingiro District, Lilian Ruteraho, the NRM flag bearer for the District Woman MP seat, urged voters to stay near polling stations after voting, warning that leaving early could create space for vote tampering.
“Don’t go home after casting your ballot. Stay at least 20 metres away from the polling station… We have many people waiting to steal your votes,” Ruteraho said, urging vigilance until all procedures are complete.
The suggestion aligns with a broader push by some political actors for public oversight, but has been countered by electoral and security officials.
Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has publicly warned voters against lingering at polling stations after voting, emphasising that security forces will not tolerate disruptive behaviour and advising citizens to cast their votes and return home immediately to avoid tension and maintain order.
The remarks have drawn criticism from opposition leaders and civil society.
The disagreement prompted legal clarification from Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao, who stressed that Ugandan law does allow voters to remain at polling stations to observe the counting if they choose.
Mao said the law presumes that voters present during counting act as witnesses to transparency, and that instructing voters to leave could fuel suspicion of irregularities.
“The law says when the voting has ended, the presiding officer will count the ballots in the presence of voters who are present to witness,” Mao explained, adding that citizens’ rights to observe should be respected.
In a related intervention, Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka defended calls for voters to depart after voting because polling stations are sensitive areas and that lingering crowds can create suspicion, tension, or opportunities for malpractice such as intimidation or bribery.
He argued that maintaining a clear perimeter helps electoral officials perform their duties and enhances confidence in the process.
The AG’s remarks reflected concerns about congestion and undue pressure on both voters and officials at busy polling sites.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has also weighed in, advising voters to go home after voting and, if they wish to observe counting, return later in the day.
EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama said while the law allows people to stand up to 20 metres from the polling station, practical challenges — especially in crowded urban centres — make such proximity difficult to manage safely and could compromise voter privacy.
The conflicting messages have sparked debate about electoral transparency and citizens’ rights. Some legal experts and civil society voices argue that voters should be allowed to remain within the legal 20-metre radius around polling stations to observe counting, as a form of public oversight that helps safeguard the integrity of the vote.
Others support a more regulated environment to prevent overcrowding and potential disorder.
As election day approaches, voters face contrasting guidance: stay close to ensure your vote is counted fairly, or return home to avoid congestion and security risks, with both sides citing law, safety, and transparency in their arguments.
The debate underscores broader tensions in Uganda’s electoral environment as stakeholders seek a balance between citizen participation and orderly conduct at the polls.
