Call for Harmony and Peace as Uganda Heads To the 2026 General Elections.

By: Jacquiline Ndimimwiza Kaggwa.
As Uganda edges closer to the 2026 general elections, the political temperature
is beginning to rise, as expected in any vibrant democracy. Rallies are growing
louder, slogans sharper, and party colors brighter. But amidst this growing wave
of political expression, I feel compelled—both as a citizen and a journalist
seasoned by decades in the newsroom—to sound a call not for silence, but for
civility; not for apathy, but for peace.

Our nation has come a long way. We have weathered storms, survived
transitions, and witnessed moments of both triumph and turmoil. The road to
democracy is never a straight line, and ours has had its fair share of bends. Yet
in all these chapters of our history, the one truth that has kept Uganda standing
is our collective ability to choose peace over conflict.
In recent months, tensions have begun to emerge. Social media platforms are
awash with partisan vitriol. Communities that once shared wells and worshipped
under the same roofs are now whispering rumors and drawing invisible lines in
the sand. Political leaders, from both ruling and opposition camps, must
understand the weight of their words. This is not the time for reckless rhetoric or
dangerous mobilization. This is the time to preach unity, tolerance, and respect
for differing views.

Peace is not the absence of politics; it is the presence of dignity in political
engagement.
To our young people—many of whom will be voting for the first time in
2026—this is your moment to shape the future with ballots, not battles. Be
vigilant, but not violent. Be assertive, but not aggressive. Let your voice be heard
through civic engagement, not through chaos. The strength of a democracy lies
in the ability of its people to disagree peacefully.
To the Electoral Commission, your role is sacred. The credibility of the 2026
elections will rest heavily on your impartiality and preparedness. You must
ensure that all candidates, regardless of political affiliation, are given equal
opportunity and protection under the law. Elections must not only be free and
fair—they must be seen to be so.

To our religious and cultural leaders, now more than ever, your voices matter.
Your platforms reach hearts that politics cannot. Use them to calm, to counsel,
and to call our people to embrace peace above all else.
And to my fellow journalists, let us commit to telling the truth—not half-truths or
inciting headlines. The media must rise above bias and become a bridge for
dialogue, not a weapon of division. We must be guardians of fact and context,
especially when emotions run high.

Uganda is bigger than any party, any politician, or any election. Our children will
inherit the consequences of the choices we make today. Let us choose peace.
Let us choose harmony. Let us prove, once again, that Uganda can rise above
political tension and walk hand-in-hand toward a future that belongs to us all.
As we inch toward 2026, may our hearts remain rooted in love for our country,
and may our steps be guided by wisdom, restraint, and hope.
For God and My Country