Ahead of the 2026 General Elections, President Yoweri Museveni has urged the young people to shun hooliganism and refrain from practices that intimidate citizens, saying Ugandans should be allowed to elect the people they want.
Museveni’s remarks follow a meeting with the Army top brass in State House Entebbe on Thursday, after which he warned the politicians to desist from “indisciplined democracy,” saying the meeting agreed the practice must end.
“I chaired the UPDF High Command meeting yesterday and the Defense Forces Council meeting today at State House Entebbe. I emphasised the need for disciplined democracy in Uganda. The NRM advocates for disciplined democracy, not hooliganism or bad language, because we want Ugandans to decide what they want without intimidation. Politicians engaging in practices that intimidate citizens must stop! This is not the African way. The security agencies have discussed this issue, and it will come to an end. You must speak well in public; do not resort to negative speech.” President Museveni said in a social media post on his X platform on Thursday.
“I therefore urge young people to uphold the values of the NRM. The challenge for young people is to understand what the pioneers started and to carry that legacy forward. Additionally, they should embrace ‘uzalendo,’ working for the betterment of the country.” He adds.
It is not clear who or which group of politicians Mr Museveni was specifically referring to, but the meeting with the army leadership comes a day after the ruling party – the National Resistance Movement (NRM) concluded the internal elections of party grassroot structures which were marred by violence involving the youths.
The president’s message also coincides with security operations to crackdown on youths especially -the opposition supporters, with several arrests mainly defiant targeting National Unity Platform (NUP) members.
