The Multi-Party Youth Forum (MYF), a coalition of political party youth leagues, has condemned the escalating political violence perpatrated by some candidates, supporters, and some state agencies during the ongoing 2025/2026 election campaigns.
In a statement, the group noted that “as soon as the Electoral Commission launched the roadmap for 2025/2026 general elections, several images emerged showing widespread brutality against citizens, including the use of long sticks by police, the army, and non-uniformed individuals allegedly supported by those in uniform.”
“This is totally against the law, electoral guidelines, unacceptable and undermines the efforts of young people who have been signing peace commitments to ensure peaceful and meaningful participation in 2026 elections,” the statement read.
Addressing journalists at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, the MYF Chairperson Lynnet Nanyonjo said it is disturbing that despite regional peace dialogue processes under the theme “Meaningful and Peaceful Participation of Youth in 2026 General Elections,” incidents of violence have persisted.
The dialogues, she noted, had previously resulted in the signing of peace communiques ahead of the elections.
“All Ugandans must take the lead in ensuring peace of the country during and after elections,” Nanyonjo said, calling for immediate investigations into the violent incidents and clarity on the actions of the police and army. She also demanded comprehensive statistics on the whereabouts of young people affected during campaigns, particularly those in detention or receiving treatment in hospitals.
“All people arrested for political-related cases should be released unconditionally,” she emphasized, adding that the Uganda Police Force must take measures to prevent high-handed use of force against civilians exercising their constitutional rights.
Nanyonjo warned that attempts to undermine youth participation constitute a direct attack on Uganda’s future. “Uganda’s future depends on its young people. When they are ignored or suppressed, the nation’s future is put at risk,” she said.
Ivan Masawi of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party youth league echoed the call, urging all young people to join the movement to ensure peace is maintained. The MYF pledged to continue promoting messages of peace before, during, and after the elections.
