Jinja, Uganda: Police in Jinja City and Jinja District have assured voters of a safe, intimidation-free voting environment ahead of the January 15, 2026, general elections, saying robust joint security arrangements are in place to counter any form of electoral violence or disruption.
The Regional Police Commander for Kiira Region, Charles Nsaba, gave the assurance on Thursday during a regional security stakeholders’ meeting held at the Civil Service College in Jinja City.
SSP Nsaba said combined security forces have ruled out intimidation, harassment, manipulation and assaults aimed at discouraging voters, stressing that security agencies are fully prepared to respond swiftly to any emerging threats.
“Our mission is to secure peaceful and credible elections by protecting all polling stations, tally centres, government installations and the general public,” Nsaba said, adding that deployment plans have been carefully coordinated across the region.
He issued a strong warning to individuals or groups allegedly planning to recruit or train defiant groups to cause politically motivated unrest, saying security agencies will deal decisively with anyone found engaging in unlawful activities.
Representing the Busoga Cantonment Commander, Earnest Nuwagaba, the Commander of Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability headquarters, reaffirmed the army’s commitment to supporting police in maintaining law and order before, during and after the elections.
Brig Gen Nuwagaba cautioned that Jinja’s strategic importance makes it a high-security zone at all times.
“No one should think of destabilising Jinja. The city is under 24-hour strategic security, which is why it has earned international recognition as one of Africa’s tourist destinations,” he said.
Jinja City Resident City Commissioner Richard Gulume Balyaino and Jinja District RDC Ahmed Kateregga Musaazi commended police for maintaining calm during the festive season and overseeing peaceful campaigns without major incidents.
“The consistency, discipline and morale of the security personnel should be maintained. The whole country is proud of Jinja,” Gulume said.
Kiira Regional Police Spokesperson James Mubi said the meeting resolved to deploy joint security forces across polling stations, tally centres, sensitive installations and public spaces.
“Police, as the lead agency, has completed joint ground descriptions of all polling stations and tally centres. Strategic, non-discriminative deployment of joint forces will run from January 15 through February 6 and beyond the elections,” SP Mubi said.
The meeting was attended by commanding officers from the police, army, prisons and intelligence services across the Kiira policing region.
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