As Uganda heads toward the 2026 general elections, the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), together with major child-rights organisations, has issued a strong appeal to political actors and the public to protect children from exploitation during campaign activities. The call follows growing concern over the involvement of minors in political rallies, a trend that commissioners […]
As Uganda heads toward the 2026 general elections, the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), together with major child-rights organisations, has issued a strong appeal to political actors and the public to protect children from exploitation during campaign activities.
The call follows growing concern over the involvement of minors in political rallies, a trend that commissioners say violates children’s rights and exposes them to harm.
Simeon Nsubuga one of the commissioners called for immediate collective action from all stakeholders to uphold child safety throughout the election period.
“The participation of children in rallies and campaign activities violates their rights to protection. It exposes the children to physical and psychological harm,” he stressed.
He added that using minors in political advertising amounts to exploitation and infringes on their right to privacy and safety.
Chrispus Kaheru another commissioner advised politicians, parents, and communities to ensure that no child below 18 years is mobilized to join campaign events, distribute materials, or display political symbols. The new guidelines explicitly bar politicians from engaging children in campaign activities that may expose them to crowds, tension, or violence.
This follows the circulation of online videos showing students in uniform allegedly paid to join some candidates’ rally.
Meanwhile, a 16-year-old student, Leon Joshua Otim, has died from severe head injuries he sustained after being attacked by criminal gangs during a National Unity Platform (NUP) campaign rally at Awere Sports Ground in Gulu City.
Otim, a student of Excel High School in Mukono, was struck on the head with a blunt object on Saturday and remained in a coma for three days before dying yesterday at 2pm at St Mary’s Hospital Lacor.
His mother, Margret Abalo, said she had warned him against attending the rally due to the tense political atmosphere but he insisted he would be safe. She appealed to politicians not to use his death for political gain. Otim’s father, the late Col Justine Anywar of the UPDF, died seven years ago.
Otim’s body is currently at Gulu Military Hospital Mortuary for a post-mortem. No arrests have been made, though seven other people were injured in the same scuffle. The incident was reported to Gulu Central Police Station.
Police spokesperson ASP David Ongom Mudong said he had not yet received details of the student’s death but confirmed investigations into theft and unrest that occurred during the same rally. Police say the chaos followed presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi’s decision to defy an agreed traffic route, leading to clashes involving supporters, police, and criminal elements who used the confusion to steal from shops.
According to UHRC past elections in Uganda and across the region have shown that minors face increased risks during political periods, including exposure to violence, exploitation, and disruption of essential services.
“We aim to ensure that children’s rights are upheld throughout the electoral process through strengthened coordination, advocacy materials, reporting systems, and mitigation initiatives,” UHCR said.
They have called on communities to report any suspected child-rights violations through toll-free helplines such as SAUTI 116, as well as UHRC regional and field offices nationwide.
