By Johnson Kanyesige
As the 2026 general elections draws nearer, the Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) has launched a sensitization campaign to empower communities in Acholi, Bukedi, and Bunyoro regions to take an active role in electoral and political processes.
The campaign aims to address several issues that have hindered citizen engagement in the past, including polling stations being positioned far from voters, voter bribery, missing voter names from the register, and electoral violence.
Speaking during a one-day regional dialogue between political actors and citizens at HB Hotel, Moreen Kyomuhendo, the program officer for FOWODE, highlighted the importance of citizen engagement in the democratic process. She adds that they are sensitizing citizens early enough ahead of the 2026 general elections to ensure they keep their trust in participating in elections and understand why it matters to them.
CP Faisal Magumba, the Community Liaisons Officer for Police’s Albertine region, emphasized the need for respect among stakeholders. He revealed as police, they focus on protecting people and their property during elections, but there have been cases of the force clashing with political actors. He now calls for respect each other’s mandates to avoid clashing.”
Uthman Kadiri, the Hoima district boss, stressed the need to avoid enemity among political actors, saying, “politics should not make permanent enemies. We need to work together to end electoral violence.” .
Alen Kabagire, the Kiganja sub-county district councilor, called for police to allow electorates to exercise their rights freely, saying, He stressed that Police should not intimidate political actors. adding that he has been a victim of police action in the past, and it’s not fair.
The sensitization campaign is part of FOWODE’s efforts to promote and strengthening citizen’s engagement and peaceful democratic processes in the lead-up to the 2026 general elections.
