PLU boda boda initiative rallies Ugandans to abide by EC voting guidelines

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Commercial motorcyclists under the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) Boda Boda Initiative have urged Ugandans to adhere to Electoral Commission voting guidelines to ensure a peaceful electoral process.

“Let us follow the guidelines issued by the chairman of the Electoral Commission (Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama), and peace will prevail in the country. Do not, even for a minute, engage in lawlessness or attempt to disrupt the peace ushered in by this Government. On January 16, wake up and go to your workstations. Security is in place, everything has been tightened, and no one will demonstrate,” he said.

The call was echoed by the initiative’s chairman, Rodgers Wamutanda, while addressing the press at Vox Lounge in Nakulabye on December 27, 2025, on the sidelines of a mobilisation meeting aimed at canvassing support for President Yoweri Museveni, the NRM candidate in the January 15 polls.

The Chairperson Patriotic League Bodaboda Initiative, Rogers Wamutanda (second left) accompanied by members during a media engagement at Vox Lounge in Nakulabye on December 27, 2025, on the sidelines of a mobilisation meeting aimed at canvassing support for President Yoweri Museveni. (Photo by Emmanuel Ssekaggo)

Speaking later, Wamutanda warned citizens against belligerence, cautioning that there would be serious consequences for those who attempt to disrupt the electoral process.

“I want to inform my fellow youths across Uganda to pay attention to messages from authorities and the issues they raise. If you hear someone saying they are going into a protest vote, just know that it is a criminal act that undermines our country and risks causing chaos,” he warned.

He reiterated the message attributed to the leader of the Patriotic League of Uganda and Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, urging eligible voters to exercise their right peacefully.

“The message from our boss, Supreme Leader of the Patriotic League of Uganda and also Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba was that everyone should go and vote on January 15. It is everyone’s right, as long as you have a national ID and a gazetted polling station where you were registered, wake up early, go and vote and leave the security forces to guard the process,” he stated.

The call follows a communiqué issued by Electoral Commission chairman Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama on December 18, 2025, condemning the National Unity Platform’s campaign slogan of Kanonye (canvas for votes), Kalonde (vote) and Kabanje (demand your stolen victory).

“As regards the Kabanje (demand) slogan, Section 53 (1) (d) of the same Act (Presidential) is explicit that the presiding officer shall hand over a copy of the declaration of results (DR) form to each of the agents of a candidate at a polling station. It is not fair for every voter to demand for a copy of the DR form from the presiding officer,” Byabakama said.

He added that while the law allows a voter who has cast a ballot to stand or sit 20 metres away from the polling table, this provision is difficult to implement under prevailing conditions.

“Many polling stations, particularly in urban centres, are located in squeezed places, hence keeping the twenty meters distance may not be observed. This will gravely impact the secrecy of the ballot,” Byabakama argued.

He further warned that large gatherings of supporters of different candidates at polling stations could easily lead to disagreements, commotion or violence, ultimately disrupting voting and vote counting.