The Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF), has warned political actors against using divisive language that could lead to political violence as the Country prepares for the 2026 general elections.
According to the UPDF Acting Director Defense Public Information, Col. Chris Magezi, “Security has noted with concern the continuous rhetoric by the National Unity Platform (NUP) Presidential candidate calling upon his supporters to mob polling centers on Election Day, and thereafter march to the Capital Kampala.”
UPDF also accuses NUP principal of encouraging his supporters his supporters to be prepared to confront the security forces because, in his view, the police and UPDF would be outnumbered on the ground.
Col. Magezi in his 4th December 2025 statement says “this type of polarizing language is very unfortunate indeed. It is ill advised, toxic, shallow in logic, and dangerous,” adding that the forces strongly condemn the spirit and message behind the call, and they will not hesitate to stop the call.
“In the worst-case scenario, those who incite violence and promote anarchy in the country by misleading the young of Uganda to violently confront the security forces will themselves not escape the outcome.” UPDF publicist warned
According to the UPDF, recalling Uganda’s long history of instability, it is ‘inconceivable that an aspiring national leader would seek to undermine the credibility of the country’s security forces, the foundation upon which everything else thrives,” adding that the country’s armed forces, and the UPDF in particular are highly capable, organized, proficient and lethal, and there is no threat they cannot deal with, and it will be very bad news for those who do not heed the warnings.
UPDF’s warning comes at the heels of calls by the opposition candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine emphasizing the need for vigilance and trust in which he has been rallying his supporters to remain at the polling stations on the voting day for purposes of vote protection, a situation that security forces and the Electoral Commission have not imagined, arguing that Kyagulanyi’s call incites violence that could lead to insecurity during and after the elections.
Accusing security forces of interfering with the electoral process by beating up his supporters and detaining members of his team, Kyagulanyi has insisted that the ground is not levelled for the 2026 elections to be held.