Kampala — The government has said Uganda remains largely peaceful following the conclusion of the January 2026 presidential, parliamentary, mayoral and LC5 elections, praising citizens for maintaining calm despite isolated incidents of violence.
Addressing a post-election press conference at the Uganda Media Centre, the Minister of Information, ICT and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi, commended Ugandans for what he described as a generally orderly electoral process.
“Uganda remains largely peaceful after the conclusion of the elections, and I want to applaud our citizens for exercising restraint and maintaining law and order,” Baryomunsi said.
He congratulated President Yoweri Museveni on his re-election and hailed the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) for its victory, while also thanking the Electoral Commission for managing what he termed a successful electoral exercise.
“I congratulate His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni upon his re-election, the NRM upon its victory, and I thank Ugandans and the Electoral Commission for ensuring that the elections were conducted successfully,” he said.
Baryomunsi acknowledged that there were isolated incidents of indiscipline by some political actors who defied Electoral Commission guidelines but insisted these did not disrupt the overall conduct of the polls.
“Despite a few isolated incidents and acts of indiscipline by some political actors who chose to defy Electoral Commission guidelines, elections proceeded smoothly and as scheduled across the country,” he said.
He revealed that security agencies arrested individuals attempting to incite violence during the election period, stressing that all suspects are being handled through lawful judicial processes.
“Security agencies intervened and arrested individuals who attempted to incite violence. All those arrested are being processed through courts of law,” Baryomunsi said.
According to the minister, those arrested fell into two broad categories. “There were spontaneous actors who reacted violently after losing elections, and there were also organised criminal gangs mobilised to exploit the election period to cause unrest,” he explained.
Baryomunsi said the government uncovered evidence of incitement, misinformation and coordinated plans to overwhelm security agencies using social media platforms, prompting preventive measures, including the temporary shutdown of the internet.
“We uncovered evidence of incitement, misinformation and plans to overwhelm security forces using social media. This necessitated preventive security measures, including the temporary internet shutdown,” he said.
He warned that the government would not tolerate criminal elements hiding behind political activism to destabilise the country, citing examples from the region where similar actions led to state collapse.
“Uganda will not allow criminal gangs masquerading as political activists to destabilise the country. We have seen what happens elsewhere in the region when such actions are allowed to continue unchecked,” Baryomunsi said.
He defended the deployment of security forces before, during and after the elections, saying it was essential to protect lives, property and the constitutional order.
“The deployment of security forces was necessary to safeguard lives, protect property and preserve constitutional order,” he said.
Baryomunsi condemned all forms of electoral violence, including the reported loss of lives in Butambala District, and expressed confidence that justice would be delivered.
“We strongly condemn all forms of electoral violence, including the tragic loss of lives in Butambala. Justice will be served through the courts of law,” he said.
He also cautioned political actors against provoking security agencies for publicity or political leverage. “Provoking security forces for media attention or political advantage will not be tolerated. Restraint should never be mistaken for weakness,” Baryomunsi warned.
In his closing remarks, the minister reaffirmed Uganda’s sovereignty and urged citizens to return to work, maintain peace and seek legal redress for any grievances.
“Uganda’s future and destiny will always be determined by Ugandans through constitutional means,” he said. “I urge all citizens to resume work, maintain peace and pursue legal avenues for grievances. Violence and riots are not the path to progress.”