The Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) has called on Ugandan voters, security agencies and electoral authorities to uphold peace, respect civil liberties and adhere to the rule of law as the country heads into the General Elections scheduled for January 15, 2026.
The call is part of key recommendations issued at the start of the EASF Election Observation Mission (EASF-EOM), which has deployed 17 election observers across the country to assess the credibility of the polls.
Speaking during the mission’s arrival press briefing at Protea Hotel Kampala Skyz on Tuesday, Head of Mission Ambassador Dieudonné Ndabarushimana said peaceful participation and respect for democratic principles would be critical to the integrity of the electoral process.
“The Eastern Africa Standby Force calls upon all voters to exercise their civic and constitutional duties peacefully and lawfully, in full respect of the rule of law,” Ndabarushimana said.
Focus on Security and Freedoms
The EASF also highlighted the central role of security agencies, urging them to maintain a peaceful electoral environment while safeguarding fundamental rights and freedoms.
“Law enforcement agencies play a critical role in ensuring a secure electoral process, but this must be done with full respect for civil liberties and democratic principles,” Ndabarushimana noted.
The mission emphasized that free, fair and transparent elections, anchored in the protection of civil liberties, remain the cornerstone of democratic governance.
According to the EASF, its observation will be guided by key continental and international frameworks, including the African Union Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and the International Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation.
Observers drawn from Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Sudan will be deployed to various parts of Uganda to assess voting, counting and results management in line with the country’s legal framework.
Ndabarushimana said the mission will engage with the Electoral Commission, government officials, political actors, civil society organisations, the media and security agencies throughout the electoral period.
“These engagements are aimed at promoting transparency and confidence in the electoral process, and ensuring that all stakeholders play their role responsibly,” he said.
The Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) Election Observation Mission has assured Ugandans of an objective and accurate assessment of the electoral process, pledging to issue a preliminary statement after the elections outlining its initial findings and recommendations on the conduct of the polls.
