As Uganda inches closer to the 2025/26 general elections, Minister for Internal Affairs, Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, has urged all stakeholders—ranging from the Electoral Commission and security agencies to civil society organizations and NGOs to respect their legal mandates and avoid overcrowding the civic space.
Speaking during the 4th Quarterly Dialogue between NGO leaders and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Gen. Otafiire stressed that while the democratic process must be upheld, it must also be exercised responsibly and within the confines of the law.
“Election seasons often stir heightened emotions that can be manipulated by bad actors,” Gen. Otafiire warned. “This can lead to unnecessary tensions and contribute to the shrinking of civic space, which we must all guard against.”
The Ministry, through the NGO Bureau, reaffirmed its commitment to working with civil society to ensure legal clarity and transparency. Permanent Secretary Gen. Joseph Musanyufu encouraged NGOs to comply with district-level notification procedures and maintain current financial records for accountability purposes.
However, civil society leaders present at the dialogue painted a different picture. Robert Kirenga from the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders (NCHRD-U) and Sarah Bireete from the Center for Constitutional Governance raised concerns about shrinking civic freedoms. They cited cases of arbitrary arrests, intimidation, and acts of violence against NGO workers during past election cycles as indicators of a growing threat to democratic space.
With only months to the next electoral cycle, NGOs are now urging the government and the NGO Bureau to publicly commit to non-interference in their operations. They are also demanding clarity on planned electoral reforms, warning that any attempts to muzzle civic voices will only erode public trust in the democratic process.
The stakes are high, and how Uganda navigates the balance between security, civic space, and electoral fairness could define the legitimacy of the upcoming polls.
