Uganda Youth Leaders Urge Peaceful Messaging Ahead of 2026 Elections

Youth leaders have called for peaceful elections in Uganda, citing the role of politicians, media, and security agencies in maintaining or fuelling electoral tensions. The National Youth Dialogue on Violence and Torture-Free Elections, organised by the African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV), brought together stakeholders to discuss the issue. The dialogue emphasized the importance of balanced media coverage, civic education, and peaceful messaging in preventing election violence.

Key Takeaways:

Youth leaders, including Buvuma District Youth Council chairperson Lawrence Bogere, urged politicians to prioritize peaceful messaging and avoid spreading hate speech that incites violence among young people.
Bogere emphasized the role of media fairness and civic preparation in maintaining peace, appealing to the Electoral Commission to train candidates on responsible campaigning and accurate messaging.
ACTV Chief Executive Officer Samuel Herbert Nsubuga stressed the importance of civic education and truthful reporting, cautioning against misinformation and disinformation from the media.
Nsubuga also urged candidates to champion peace, reminding them of their responsibility to ensure a free and fair election, free of torture and violence.
Youth leaders signed Peace Commitment Declarations promising to support non-violent elections in regional dialogues organised by ACTV.
Bogere noted that economic stability reduces vulnerability to election manipulation, urging government to strengthen programmes like the Youth Livelihood Programme and Parish Development Model.
Nsubuga emphasized that engaging the 77% of Uganda's population who are youth is key to breaking the cycle of electoral violence.

Statistics:

77%: The percentage of Uganda's population that are youth, according to ACTV CEO Samuel Herbert Nsubuga.
2001: The year that marked the beginning of Uganda's history of violent elections.
2026: The year of Uganda's general elections, towards which the youth leaders are preparing.

Sources:

African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV)
AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com)