Local leaders and professionals in Northern Uganda have called for peaceful, fair, and respectful elections as the country prepares for the 2026 General Election. Their concerns were raised during a Uganda Radio Network (URN) dialogue held on November 20, 2025, in Gulu City.
The meeting brought together religious leaders, politicians, community representatives, youth, and civil society members. The discussions focused on voter rights, equal access to national resources, and the need for calm and honesty during the election period.
Citizens Want Respect and Equal Treatment
Gulu City Woman Member of Parliament, Betty Aol Ocan, stressed that many Ugandans feel ignored or mistreated during election seasons. She said everyone deserves dignity and equal access to public services.
“I deserve to be respected, I deserve to have my dignity. Sometimes we are reduced to nothing, as if we are not Ugandans. Some people don’t know that these resources in use should be accessible to all of us,” Aol said.
Her remarks highlighted growing frustration among citizens who feel left out of national development and decision-making.
Religious Leaders Urge Unity and Nonviolence
Sheikh Musa Khalil, the Regional Assistant to the Mufti, also attended the dialogue and called on communities to avoid hate speech and violence ahead of the elections. He emphasized that leaders should guide citizens toward peace instead of division.
“We must protect our communities from conflict. Elections should not tear us apart,” he noted.
Participants Want Transparency from Electoral Commission
Participants expressed the need for the Electoral Commission to ensure transparency at every stage—voter registration, campaign activities, and polling day—to build trust and prevent disputes.
Professionals and youth leaders also raised concerns about misinformation, corruption, and intimidation, urging authorities to protect voters’ rights.
A Call for Conflict-Free Elections
The dialogue ended with a collective request for government, political parties, religious institutions, and security agencies to promote a calm environment before, during, and after the 2026 elections.
Many participants said a peaceful election is the only way Uganda can continue developing without social or political disruption.
