Bunyoro CSOs warned against exhibiting partisan behaviours ahead of 2025/2026 general elections

MASINDI, August 8, 2024 – Civil Society Organisations [ CSOs ] operating in Bunyoro Subregion have been warned against being partisan as they carry out civic education and voter education a head of the 2025/26 general elections.

The advice was given on Wednesday by Richard Okwaimungu, Executive Director of nongovernmental organisation, RICOFFIN Consult, while giving a keynote address at the CSO Strategy Session on the upcoming general elections at Country Inn Hotel in Masindi town.

“Don’t take sides because you will cause a revolt. It’s very dangerous to be partisan in politics as a CSO. Be impartial and honest. Accept to be corrected where you go wrong, and understand how to deal with citizens and your stakeholders,” advised Okwaimungu.

He warned that some CSOs’ behaviours are wanting. He urged them to style up to avoid landing in trouble as they interface with different political groups in the country during the electoral period.

Okwaimungu who is also the former Executive Director another nongovernmental organisation, Recreation for Development and Peace [RDP] Uganda underscored the need for the CSOs to observe the whole electoral cycle to increase people’s participation in the electoral process.

“Don’t observe on the polling day only. When you participate in the entire process, you will be able to increase voter participation, especially in Bunyoro where voter turnout is dwindling,” he advised. Bunyoro’ voter turnout was 64 percent in 2021 general elections.

He further urged the CSOs in Bunyoro to put much emphasis on the marginalised groups especially the youth, women and the persons with disabilities, adding that sometimes they are left out and yet they are also supposed to participate in the electoral process.

“These groups must be engaged and be brought on board because they are also part of the society,” he appealed.

He noted that the youth need to be engaged through platforms which are favourable to them such that they get information on the electoral processes.

On his part, Bosco Nek, a civic educator, urged the CSOs in Bunyoro to be exemplary so that citizens can believe in them.

“We don’t need to be partisan and also not to incite the public to boycott the electoral processes,” he said.

The CSO stakeholders raised issues that they said hinder free and fair elections in Bunyoro. They cited; names missing in the voter register, people using others’ identifications to vote, delayed delivery of materials, threats, and intimidation.

According to Maureen Kyomuhendo, Filed Officer of Forum for Women in Democracy [FOWODE], CSOs organised the meeting to generate consensus on how they can meaningful civil engage in the 2025/26 electoral processes.

“It also aimed at reflecting on the past electoral process and generate lessons for future engagement. We also intended to discuss the context at regional and national levels to inform plans for engagement and also to develop ideas and reach a consensus on how to engage in the 2025/26 electoral process,” she said.

FOWODE in partnership with Uganda National NGO Forum is implementing the Strengthening Citizens’ Engagement in Elections [SCENE] projects in Acholi, Bukedi, and Bunyoro subregions.

The project aims at building a proactive and engaged citizenry capable of influencing electoral and political processes and holding governance institutions accountable.

In August 2023, the Electoral Commission [EC] released a roadmap for the 2026 general elections and strategic plan for 2022/2023-20262027.

The objective of the strategic plan includes enhancing citizen participation, strengthening stakeholders’ collaboration and engagement, delivering free and fair elections and referenda, improving information sharing, public trust and confidence in the electoral process, and strengthening the capacity of the EC.