The Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) has rallied behind a polling day strategy aimed at ensuring calm, order and efficiency during the 2026 general elections, urging voters to leave polling stations immediately after casting their ballots.
Speaking from the movement’s headquarters in Naguru on Wednesday, PLU Secretary General and Kasambya Member of Parliament, David Kabanda, said the guidance is part of early preparations to avoid challenges experienced during the 2021 elections.
Once a voter has exercised their right, their role ends there. The responsibility for vote protection, counting, and declaration lies with the Electoral Commission, supported by security agencies and accredited party agents, Kabanda said.
Hon Kabanda David
Kabanda explained that the directive was issued by PLU Chairperson and Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba emphasizes respect for Electoral Commission (EC) procedures and the clear separation of responsibilities on polling day.
According to PLU, the approach is intended to reduce congestion and pressure at polling stations, allowing election officials and party agents to conduct their duties without intimidation or disruption. The movement noted that under Uganda’s electoral laws, voters are not required to remain at polling centres after voting.
Kabanda revealed that the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has strengthened its election preparedness by planning to deploy multiple polling agents at each station in 2026, alongside EC officials and security personnel. He said this arrangement guarantees transparency without the need for voters to supervise the process themselves.
The PLU official linked the strategy to lessons drawn from the 2021 elections, where post-election assessments by the NRM indicated that a significant number of votes were lost due to invalidation and tense counting environments at some polling stations.
He argued that large crowds lingering at polling centres in 2021 complicated vote verification and made it difficult for party agents to effectively raise objections during counting, sometimes out of fear of confrontation.
PLU also clarified that recent public statements by Gen. Muhoozi regarding polling station discipline were not new rules, but a reminder that existing electoral laws will be firmly enforced by security agencies.
The movement’s position aligns with previous guidance from EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, who has consistently warned voters against staying at polling stations after voting, except for authorized officials and agents
As political activity intensifies ahead of the January 2026 polls, PLU says its focus remains on promoting peaceful participation, orderly voting, and uninterrupted tallying in line with Uganda’s electoral framework.
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