Ssenyonyi Demands Removal Of Polling Stations From Police Barracks

Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi has petitioned the Electoral Commission (EC) to relocate 18 polling stations reportedly situated inside the fenced Naguru-Ntinda Police Barracks in Nakawa West Constituency.

In a letter dated January 9, 2026, Ssenyonyi argues that the placement violates electoral laws and could disenfranchise voters and opposition agents by restricting access to a controlled security zone.

The polling stations, all listed under variations of “Shell Grounds” with codes such as A-AHA, AHE-AK, and up to TUH-Z, are officially documented in the EC’s packing list for Nakawa West. However, a ground assessment cited in Ssenyonyi’s letter reveals they are physically located within the barracks’ perimeter wall.

The opposition leader questions the feasibility of civilian access, stating, “How shall our polling agents, or even some civilian voters who don’t reside in the barracks, access such restricted premises on polling day?” He further casts doubt on the voter tally, noting that the 18 stations are indicated to serve a total of 12,455 registered voters, predominantly police officers and their spouses, in a single barracks, a figure he describes as “doubtable.”

Ssenyonyi’s concerns echo longstanding debates over electoral fairness in Uganda, where polling stations in restricted areas like barracks and prisons have historically sparked allegations of bias and intimidation. Under Section 57(3) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, 2005, “an area provided for voting for members of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces shall be outside of any barracks, and the Commission shall not create any special or separate polling station exclusively for the army or any other security personnel.” This provision aims to ensure open access and prevent undue influence in military or police-controlled environments.

The petition invokes a key legal precedent: the 2010 High Court ruling in Lukwago v. Electoral Commission (Miscellaneous Cause No. 113 of 2010), where the court held that polling stations within barracks violate electoral laws and ordered their relocation. In that case, brought by then-Kampala mayoral candidate Erias Lukwago, the judiciary emphasized that such placements undermine the principles of free and fair elections by limiting civilian oversight and campaign access.

Historical context reveals a pattern of similar controversies. During the 2021 elections, opposition candidates reported being denied entry to campaign in barracks and prisons, while ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) affiliates were granted access.

For instance, in Luzira Prisons Parish, five polling stations served over 4,146 voters, but opposition figures claimed restrictions effectively turned these sites into “no-go zones.” International observers, including the European Union Election Observation Mission, noted in 2016 that heavy security presence around polling stations contributed to an “intimidating atmosphere” for voters and candidates.

Ssenyonyi, who is also the NUP spokesperson and MP for Nakawa West, said it is not proper for UPDF or police barracks to host any polling stations.“Because of the restricted and controlled nature of these barracks.” He urged the EC to relocate the sites “before polling day, as required by law,” He warned that failure to do so could compromise the electoral process.

The EC has yet to publicly respond to the petition, but recent statements from commission officials have addressed broader voter conduct issues. In December 2025, EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama warned presidential candidates against mobilizing supporters to linger at polling stations, emphasizing security concerns.

This directive has drawn criticism from legal experts and opposition figures, who argue that it contradicts constitutional provisions allowing voters to remain within 20 meters of stations to observe the counting process for transparency.

Data from the EC’s 2025 voter register update indicates that Uganda’s electorate has grown to over 21.6 million, with new polling stations being created to accommodate an estimated 4.7 million first-time voters who will turn 18 by 2026.

However, critics like Ssenyonyi allege that placements in restricted areas could facilitate irregularities, such as limited scrutiny during vote tallying. This development adds to mounting tensions ahead of the polls, where President Yoweri Museveni seeks a seventh term amid accusations of electoral engineering.

Opposition parties, including the National Unity Platform (NUP), have called for international scrutiny to ensure compliance with Uganda’s electoral framework. As of press time, the EC had not commented on the specific allegations, but the issue underscores ongoing challenges in balancing security with democratic access in one of East Africa’s most scrutinized electoral landscapes.