Kira Municipality MP Ssemujju Nganda has raised concerns over what he describes as the increasing involvement of Uganda’s military in election management, questioning why the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has taken a more prominent role than the Electoral Commission Chairperson, Simon Byabakama.
Nganda highlighted that Gen. Kainerugaba has been issuing statements on election procedures and enforcing restrictions, including banning Ugandans from staying around polling stations after voting, a move he says is highly unusual.
“Uganda is one of the luckiest nations in the world where the President and his son, the Chief of Defence Forces, are managing the country’s military,” Nganda said, raising concerns about the militarisation of electoral processes.
In a separate gesture, Nganda apologised to Kenyan citizens over the abduction and inhumane treatment of Kenyan activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, adding: “When next I am in Kenya, I hope Kenyans also apologise to Ugandans for enabling the abduction of my leader, Dr Kizza Besigye, last year.”
The controversy comes amid allegations that the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) abducted Father Deusdedit Ssekabira and held him in ungazetted premises for over two weeks. Attorney General Kiwanuka Kiryowa confirmed that investigations are underway and promised that if laws were violated, the Army would face sanctions.
Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi criticised the UPDF for failing to produce Father Ssekabira in court and for denying him access to his loved ones, calling the Army’s actions “dangerous.” He also urged Parliament to ensure that all institutions comply with the laws it enacts.
Ssenyonyi further raised concerns over the Electoral Commission’s decision not to allow voting in areas where the Biometric Voter Verification System (BVVK) fails, warning that this could disenfranchise voters in areas without electricity or where machines malfunction, as has happened in previous elections.
The statements by Nganda and Ssenyonyi highlight mounting tension over the electoral process and the perceived role of the military in Uganda’s upcoming elections.
