West Nile students call on Byabakama to prevail over security agencies

Arua, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Students in the West Nile region have called on the Electoral Commission to provide clear mechanisms for the regulation of security agencies during the electoral process.

The students raised their concerns with the Electoral Commission Chairman, Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, who was in Arua for a civic engagement exercise on Friday.

The event held at Mvara Secondary School in Arua town was part of preparations for the 2026 general elections.

Mathew Okello Innocent said the heavy security presence during elections often scares young voters away from participating in the process.

Malcom Savior, a fifth-year student of Mvara Secondary School, challenged the electoral commission to ensure that security agencies behave in accordance with the law.

According to Saviour, without clear mechanisms, security agencies could be used by political actors for selfish purposes.

Elvis Drileba, a student at Mvara Secondary School, recalls that during the last general elections, several people, especially young people, lost their lives. He suggested that the electoral commission should avoid similar bloodshed in the next elections.

Judge Byabakama Mugenyi Simon said it was impossible to hold elections without security in the country because elections, by their nature, are about contesting power. But he was quick to add that security forces must be aware of their role so as not to interfere in the electoral process.

Violence and human rights abuses marred the country’s last election cycle, with at least 54 people killed and others injured after security forces cracked down on protesters over the arrest of opposition politician Robert Kyagulanyi in November 2020.

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