The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has issued a stern warning to voters ahead of the 2025 general elections saying, cast your vote and go home! The army’s Deputy Spokesperson, Col. Henry Obbo, cautioned Ugandans against crowding polling stations after voting, saying such gatherings could turn into security risks or intimidate other voters. “When you […]
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has issued a stern warning to voters ahead of the 2025 general elections saying, cast your vote and go home!
The army’s Deputy Spokesperson, Col. Henry Obbo, cautioned Ugandans against crowding polling stations after voting, saying such gatherings could turn into security risks or intimidate other voters.
“When you finish voting, please go home and wait for the announcement of results. Crowding the polling stations can become a security threat or cause unnecessary tension.”Obbo said.
His comments come after the National Unity Platform (NUP) unveiled its new slogan “Protest Vote” telling supporters to stay at polling stations until all votes are counted. The opposition argues that this is meant to prevent ballot stuffing, a problem they claim marred the 2021 presidential election, which they continue to dispute.
But the army has dismissed these calls, insisting that Uganda’s security forces will ensure peace without interference.
“We assure the country that this election period will be peaceful. No one will disturb the peace of Ugandans, and everyone will have a chance to freely choose their leaders.” said Obbo.
According to Uganda’s electoral laws, only the police are authorized to keep law and order during elections. However, if the situation becomes overwhelming, the army can legally step in to help maintain peace.
Obbo also explained that the police alone cannot man all polling stations across the country, making it necessary for the army to offer support.
“Even if all the Uganda Police Force officers, including the IGP, were deployed to polling stations, the numbers would still fall short. The UPDF will therefore step in to support the police so that we have a peaceful election.” he said
The Constitution of Uganda (Article 209) and the UPDF Act, 2005 give the army power to: Defend Uganda’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, cooperate with civilian authorities in emergencies and disasters, engage in productive activities for national development.
Under this third function, the UPDF may support civil authorities like the police when requested for example, to maintain peace during large-scale national events such as elections.
However, this is outside the election laws and must be done through a lawful request by the Uganda Police Force or the Ministry of Internal Affairs, not the army acting on its own.
In past elections, the UPDF has been deployed around (not inside) polling areas to back up police.
The Electoral Commission and Police usually justify this as support for crowd control or national security, not election management. The Police Act (Cap 303), Section 42, allows the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to seek assistance from the Defence Forces when public order or security is threatened and the police are unable to manage the situation alone.
