Uganda's internal affairs minister asked citizens and civil groups to help organize peaceful elections for 2026. General David Muhoozi made this request during a national meeting about torture victims. The event marked the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. Human rights groups have raised concerns about fewer freedoms and more violations before the upcoming vote. Muhoozi said many torture cases come from individual community members rather than government orders.
The minister noted that some security officers involved with rights violations suffer from untreated mental health problems. Personal frustrations sometimes affect their professional work. He stressed the need for better mental health care within security forces. Dr. Kabumba Busingye from the Human Rights and Peace Centre spoke against the growing acceptance of rights violations among officials. He said peaceful elections without violence seem unlikely given Uganda's history.
Justice Mariam Wangadya leads the Uganda Human Rights Commission and promised to work with all groups for the 2026 elections. Her representative told media and civil organizations to expose problems. Security agencies should protect weak people instead of creating fear. The Electoral Commission must deliver elections without violence to maintain democratic credibility. Julius Mucunguzi from the Independent Electoral Commission said all Ugandans share responsibility for peaceful voting.
The meeting happened at Golf Course Hotel in Kampala with government officials, human rights groups, lawyers and citizens attending.
The minister noted that some security officers involved with rights violations suffer from untreated mental health problems. Personal frustrations sometimes affect their professional work. He stressed the need for better mental health care within security forces. Dr. Kabumba Busingye from the Human Rights and Peace Centre spoke against the growing acceptance of rights violations among officials. He said peaceful elections without violence seem unlikely given Uganda's history.
Justice Mariam Wangadya leads the Uganda Human Rights Commission and promised to work with all groups for the 2026 elections. Her representative told media and civil organizations to expose problems. Security agencies should protect weak people instead of creating fear. The Electoral Commission must deliver elections without violence to maintain democratic credibility. Julius Mucunguzi from the Independent Electoral Commission said all Ugandans share responsibility for peaceful voting.
The meeting happened at Golf Course Hotel in Kampala with government officials, human rights groups, lawyers and citizens attending.
