No Stone is a Better than a Bullet’ – Bamwine Warns Those banking on Election Violence

Senior presidential adviser and Commissioner Fred Bamwine has cautioned Ugandans, particularly the youth, against engaging in violence during and after the forthcoming general elections, warning that political incitement could have devastating consequences.

Bamwine said young people should not allow themselves to be misled by what he described as self-seeking politicians, noting that many of those who encourage confrontations with security forces are often nowhere to be seen when trouble arises.

“Politicians who push young people into violence cannot help them when they land in serious trouble,” Bamwine said, urging voters to exercise restraint and act within the law throughout the electoral period.

He strongly condemned recent statements by some politicians, particularly in the central region, which he said appeared to encourage attacks on men and women in uniform. Bamwine described such calls as reckless, dangerous and catastrophic, warning that they could easily escalate into widespread bloodshed.

Using a stark metaphor, the commissioner cautioned against underestimating the risks of confrontation with armed forces, saying, “No stone is better than a bullet on a battlefield,” a remark aimed at discouraging acts of defiance that could provoke lethal responses.

Bamwine made the remarks while appearing on a political talk show on a local radio station in Kampala, where he discussed election preparedness, public order, and the role of youth in maintaining peace.

Uganda is scheduled to head to the polls on 15 January 2026, with eight candidates expected to contest for the country’s top political office. The election season has already seen heightened political activity, prompting renewed calls from security agencies and government officials for peaceful participation.

Bamwine appealed to young people to channel their energy into constructive civic engagement rather than violence, emphasizing that peaceful elections are critical to national stability and democratic progress.

“As a country, we must choose dialogue over destruction and patriotism over provocation,” he said.