Police Say Security Deployment Aimed at Protecting Voters

The Uganda Police Force (UPF) has urged Ugandans to respect members of the security forces during the election period.

Addressing journalists during the weekly police press conference at the Naguru Police Headquarters, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Bamunoba Ubaldo, the UPF Chief Political Commissar, said the heightened security deployment is intended to demonstrate the police’s readiness to protect Ugandans and their property throughout the election season.

AIGP Bamunoba noted that the deployment should not intimidate law-abiding citizens, unless they harbour ulterior motives.

“They are doing their normal duty of patrolling and ensuring that the city is safe and that you are safe. There should therefore be no cause for alarm. Let us not be taken up by the heavy deployment; this is very normal,” he said.

He further urged voters to leave polling stations immediately after casting their votes, as guided by the Electoral Commission, explaining that a voter’s role ends once they have voted.

However, he clarified that candidates are allowed to be present at polling stations, either directly or through their agents, to observe the process.

“It is the duty of the agent to act on behalf of the candidate, to observe what is going on, participate in the tallying of results, receive the results on behalf of the candidate, and ensure they are transferred to the National Tally Centre. So what is the role of a voter who has already cast his or her vote at the polling station? Kindly follow the safety guidelines so that an enabling environment prevails and voting proceeds peacefully,” AIGP Bamunoba warned.

He also revealed that the police recruited Special Police Constables from across the country, including individuals from ghetto communities, and warned against discriminating against them based on their physical appearance.

Additionally, AIGP Bamunoba advised journalists to work closely with the police, especially in areas experiencing unrest, noting that this is essential for their safety.