By Mike Rwothomio

Police officers in Uganda’s West Nile Sub-region have been warned against engaging in partisan politics as the country gears up for the 2026 general elections.

With political parties intensifying preparations, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has already outlined its roadmap for party primaries in July 2025 to select candidates for the upcoming polls.

Speaking at the Paidha Cultural Center Hall on Thursday, April 17, 2025, Senior Superintendent of Police Latif Zaake, the West Nile Regional Police Commander, addressed local leaders and police officers, emphasizing their duty to remain impartial.

“Our role is to maintain law and order. Officers, do not involve yourselves in partisan politics,” Zaake stated.

Senior Superintendent of Police Latif Zaake, the West Nile Regional Police Commander, addressed local leaders and police officers, emphasizing their duty to remain impartial.

Zaake singled out the upcoming NRM primaries, which he anticipates will be highly competitive, urging officers to uphold professionalism in their duties.

He is currently touring police stations across the West Nile Sub-region to promote effective community policing strategies.

Addressing political leaders, Zaake cautioned against provoking officers during this politically charged period.

Recent criticism from opposition members, human rights groups, and even NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Tanga Odoi has highlighted security forces’ heavy-handed tactics, particularly during the tense Kawempe North by-election, where journalists and voters faced alleged mistreatment.

Innocent Godfred Onega, the LCIII Chairperson of Paidha Town Council and an independent candidate for the Okoro County MP seat, praised Zaake’s remarks.

He urged officers to refrain from labeling non-NRM political leaders as “rebels” and to treat all candidates fairly.

“There is no ‘opposition’—only political parties like UPC, DP, FDC, and NUP. Saboteurs are those who undermine government programs,” Onega clarified, advocating for neutrality.

Police officers from Zombo District after an engagement with RPC of West Nile at Paidha Central Police station on Thursday 17 April, 2025. Photo/ Mike Rwothomio

Zombo Council Speaker Hassan Ringtho echoed the call for professional conduct during the electoral period, commending the police for maintaining peace in the district.

Meanwhile, Zombo’s Resident District Commissioner, Festus Ayikobua, encouraged voters to use the elections to select “capable leaders” who can foster development.

Uganda’s Electoral Commission Act strictly prohibits police officers from engaging in partisan politics, mandating their role as neutral enforcers of law and order during elections.

However, the Uganda Police Force (UPF) has faced persistent accusations from opposition groups and human rights advocates of political bias, including arrests and detentions driven by political motives rather than criminal offenses.

During past elections, the UPF has been criticized for allegedly using excessive force to suppress dissent and targeting opposition figures.

Internal Affairs Minister Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire has repeatedly stressed that the police’s mandate is to maintain peace, not to mistreat citizens, particularly during election campaigns.

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at Zoomer Africa