As Ugandans head to the polls today to elect their Village Youth Committee leaders, the Electoral Commission has issued a stern warning against political groups deploying informal youth brigades to monitor polling stations, calling the move illegal and potentially destabilizing.
Voting is underway today across the country for Uganda’s Village Youth Committee Elections, but the peaceful exercise is being overshadowed by concerns over the deployment of unauthorized youth brigades by some political parties and independent actors.
The Electoral Commission (EC) this morning issued a public statement condemning the formation of these informal groups, which have been stationed in various polling areas under the pretext of guarding votes and results.
According to the EC, these efforts are not only outside the legal framework but also threaten to disrupt the electoral environment.
“Only the Uganda Police is legally mandated to provide security during the electoral process, including Special Interest Group elections,” the statement reads. “The formation of youth brigades and militias is unlawful and contrary to the principles of peaceful and credible elections.”
Organizers of these brigades claim that the police are either partial or unprepared to ensure security at polling stations. However, the EC has dismissed these claims as baseless and irresponsible, warning that they may cause unnecessary anxiety and confusion among voters.
In many districts, youth are turning up in large numbers to cast their votes, with reports of calm and steady progress in several polling centers. However, the presence of parallel “security” groups in some areas has raised eyebrows and drawn sharp criticism from both electoral observers and civic leaders.
The Commission has urged political parties, organizations, and independent candidates to follow the law and allow the Uganda Police to carry out its constitutional duty without interference.
As voting continues throughout the day, the EC and security agencies are closely monitoring the situation to prevent any incidents that could undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
