By Ben Musanje
Human rights Commissioner Crispin Kaheru has called on Uganda’s educated and professional class to actively participate in the upcoming general elections, warning that discussing politics without voting undermines democratic responsibility.
In a strongly worded appeal issued days before polling day, Kaheru said research shows that many members of the so-called elite engage heavily in political debate but fail to cast their ballots. He described the trend as hypocritical and urged citizens to match their words with action.
“We must stop preaching water while drinking wine,” Kaheru said, calling on voters to turn out in large numbers. “We should go out and vote.”
The statement comes as Uganda prepares for elections scheduled for Thursday, January 15, 2026, with Kaheru noting that the weekend marks the final Sabbath and Sunday before polling day. Using religious imagery, he urged citizens not to stay behind or grow weary, but to trust the electoral process and exercise their civic duty.
Polling stations across the country will open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 4:00 p.m, with voters required to cast their ballots at their designated polling stations.
Kaheru, who serves as a commissioner at the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), placed particular responsibility on educated citizens and opinion leaders, urging them to “lead by example” and demonstrate commitment to democratic participation by voting.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission, in a statement released on January 2, 2026, outlined clear guidelines for voters on polling day. According to the Commission, voters must report to the polling station where they are registered and present either a National ID or a Voter Location Slip. Those without the documents will be assisted by the Presiding Officer to confirm their details on the National Voters Register.
Voter identification will be conducted using biometric verification, through fingerprint or facial scanning. Once verified, voters will receive ballot papers, proceed to the voting area to mark their preferred candidates using a tick or thumbprint, and deposit the folded ballots into the respective boxes. A voter’s finger will then be marked to indicate that they have voted.
The Electoral Commission emphasized the importance of arriving on time and encouraged all eligible citizens to participate, describing voting as a fundamental right and a key step in choosing the country’s leaders.
As polling day approaches, both Kaheru and the Electoral Commission are urging Ugandans to move beyond political discussion and take part directly in shaping the nation’s future through the ballot. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
