Museveni Warns Security Forces: No Torture During Elections

KAMPALA — Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has cautioned security personnel against using excessive force during elections, saying torture and beatings are unnecessary and undermine efforts to maintain peace, according to ChimpReports Uganda.

Speaking on Wednesday, Museveni said discipline and patience, rather than brutality, should guide the conduct of security agencies during electoral periods, amid recurring allegations from opposition groups that supporters are subjected to abuse.

“Beating people shows a lack of patience. Torture during elections is not necessary, and I will engage the security forces on this,” Museveni said.

He stressed that while maintaining law and order remains a national priority, security operations must stay within legal boundaries.

“No one will be allowed to disturb Uganda’s peace. Those who attempt to cause disorder will be dealt with according to the law,” he added.

Museveni’s remarks come against a backdrop of long-standing accusations by the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), led by Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, which has repeatedly alleged that police and military units use excessive force during election campaigns. The government has previously denied those claims.

According to ChimpReports Uganda, the president also dismissed arguments that security agencies struggle to control unrest due to limited manpower, arguing instead that effective organisation is more important than numbers.

“I have heard statements suggesting there are few soldiers and many rioters. Peace and order are maintained through organisation, not numbers alone,” he said.

Turning to development issues, Museveni said the Greater Mubende sub-region had recorded progress but continued to face challenges linked to leadership decisions and prioritisation. He highlighted limited access to clean water in Kasanda district as a key concern.

“Kasanda has only 34% access to safe water. That reflects leadership choices,” Museveni said, while noting improvements in infrastructure such as electricity, roads, telecommunications, schools, and health facilities in areas including Kyankwanzi.

On public health, Museveni attributed population growth in parts of the region to improved child survival resulting from government immunisation programmes.

“Mityana now has over 400,000 people. The population increased because children are surviving,” he said.

The president also emphasised the need for disciplined management of public funds to accelerate development.

“We prioritise and do things step by step. We do not scatter budgets,” Museveni said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to completing the Kakono–Manyi–Mubende–Sekanyonyi–Busujju road project.

Addressing employment, Museveni reiterated that the state cannot serve as the primary employer in a country approaching 50 million people.

“Government jobs are about 480,000. Real jobs come from wealth, factories, commercial agriculture, services, and ICT,” he said, adding that factories currently employ about 1.3 million Ugandans.

On education, Museveni defended the policy of free primary education, blaming school dropouts on the reintroduction of school charges.

“When we introduced UPE, charges came back, and that led to dropouts,” he said, encouraging young people across political affiliations to support the policy. He added that those who left school were being absorbed into presidential skilling hubs.

Museveni also cautioned against inward-looking economic policies, criticising opposition leaders for failing to prioritise regional markets.

“None of the opposition presidential candidates talk about the regional market. That thinking is dangerous,” he said, stressing the importance of regional integration.

“Our elders taught us ‘Uhuru na Umoja’, freedom and unity. Being a big fish in small ponds weakens us,” Museveni added.

Source: ChimpReports Uganda