The Attorney General, Kiwanuka Kiryowa, has advised Ugandans to move at least 20 metres away from polling stations after casting their votes during the forthcoming general elections in January, saying the guidance is anchored in existing electoral laws meant to preserve order and security.
Kiryowa was responding to concerns raised by Members of Parliament over recent remarks by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who warned citizens against lingering around polling stations after voting. MPs had questioned the legal basis for the directive and whether it amounted to voter intimidation.
Addressing Parliament, the Attorney General clarified that the restriction is not a new or military-imposed rule but one already provided for under Uganda’s electoral framework. He explained that election laws empower presiding officers and security personnel to ensure that voters leave the immediate vicinity of polling stations once they have voted, in order to prevent congestion, voter interference, and potential violence.
“The law is very clear. After voting, a voter should move away from the polling station. The 20-metre guideline is intended to maintain peace, order, and the integrity of the voting process,” Kiryowa said, adding that the measure applies equally to all voters regardless of political affiliation.
He further noted that polling stations are sensitive areas on election day and that loitering can easily create suspicion, tension, or opportunities for malpractice such as voter bribery and intimidation. According to the Attorney General, maintaining a clear perimeter allows electoral officials to do their work without disruption and enhances public confidence in the process.
Opposition MPs, however, cautioned that the directive could be misused by security forces to harass voters and opposition supporters, especially in politically contested areas. They called for clear public sensitisation by the Electoral Commission to distinguish lawful enforcement from intimidation.
Kiryowa urged political actors and security agencies to act within the law and with restraint, emphasizing that the purpose of the rule is to safeguard—not suppress—citizens’ democratic rights. He also encouraged voters to comply with lawful instructions on polling day while reporting any abuses through established legal channels.
Uganda heads to the polls on January 15, 2026, with authorities repeatedly calling for calm, lawful conduct, and respect for electoral laws by all stakeholders.
