By Emmanuel Okol
Soroti, Uganda: The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has assured the nation of maximum security and stability during the 2026 general elections, saying the army and sister security agencies are fully prepared to safeguard peace before, during, and after the polls.
The assurance was given by Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (D/CDF), Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, during a live talk show on Etop Radio 99.4 FM in Soroti City on Sunday, November 9, 2025.
Gen. Okiding said the UPDF will work hand-in-hand with other security agencies to ensure that Ugandans exercise their democratic rights in a peaceful environment.
“No one in Uganda owns the UPDF. The army belongs to the people of Uganda,” Gen. Okiding emphasized. “As sister security agencies, we have put everything in place to ensure total stability. There will be no violence during the 2026 elections.”
He urged the public to remain calm and confident, stressing that the security forces are neutral and professional, serving under the mandate of protecting the people and the country’s sovereignty.
Voters Urged to Elect Visionary Leaders
The Deputy CDF also used the platform to urge citizens to vote wisely, calling on Ugandans to elect leaders who are visionary, accountable, and capable of driving socio-economic transformation.
“Voters should evaluate every aspirant carefully before electing them. Don’t sell your vote for Shs5,000 — that is five years of poverty,” Gen. Okiding warned. “Economic empowerment is key to sustaining peace and development, and this can only happen if we choose the right leaders.”
He emphasized that the UPDF’s peacekeeping legacy and stability within Uganda will remain a pillar of national unity and democratic continuity.
Also appearing on the talk show, Col. Abel Ekellot, the Teso Sub-region Coordinator for NAADS and Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), assured citizens of total peace during the upcoming elections. “We are going to give maximum security to remove fear from the community during the election period,” Col. Ekellot said.
He encouraged residents of Teso and other regions to embrace government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP), and the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP), noting that these initiatives are critical in fighting poverty and reducing voter manipulation through handouts.
Community Voices Call for Voter Education
Local leaders and voters in Katakwi District also weighed in on the discussion, urging for peaceful and issue-based campaigns.
Daniel Mulalu, an independent parliamentary aspirant for Ngariam County, pledged to continue supporting service delivery if elected, citing his past contributions to education and infrastructure.
“I have already distributed solar panels to all Ngariam primary schools and installed security lights in trading centers. My focus is on improving service delivery, not buying votes,” Mulalu said.
Voters such as Simon Ojoto from Katakwi Town Council commended the UPDF for maintaining peace and urged fellow citizens to protect their votes. “The army has done a great job in ensuring security. We should now do ours by voting responsible leaders,” Ojoto remarked.
Goretty Asio, a resident of Ngariam Sub-county, urged voters to reject money-minded politicians and focus on electing leaders dedicated to poverty eradication. She also called on the Electoral Commission to intensify voter education at community level.
“People must be educated on their roles in voting and why selling votes keeps us in poverty,” she said.
Massive Security Deployment Planned
Security sources confirmed that nationwide deployments will be made across all gazetted polling stations, with UPDF, Police, and other security organs coordinating to ensure law and order throughout the election period.
The 2026 elections, slated to be one of the most competitive in Uganda’s history, will see security agencies maintain a visible presence to prevent violence, intimidation, and electoral malpractices. “The UPDF’s role is to protect peace, not politics,” a senior officer noted. “Ugandans should go and vote without fear.”
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