IGP Byakagaba: Only Police Officers Will Be Inside Polling Stations

Inspector General of Police Abbas Byakagaba has assured Ugandans that the Uganda Police Force will take full charge of security inside polling stations during elections, while working closely with other security agencies deployed outside polling areas.

He made the statement on Monday morning as the police leadership and that of the electoral commission interfaced with election observers at Mestil Hotel, ahead of the general elections slated to kick off on Thursday this week.

“We are very cognizant of the fact that the role of protecting the operations and providing basic security for the electoral process lies with us as the police. But we cannot do this in isolation from other general security concerns. That is why we are the lead agency.”Byakagaba said.

Byakagaba clarified that voters should not expect to see multiple security agencies inside polling stations.

“You will not expect to see other agencies inside the polling station. Inside, you will see polling constables and a polling constable is a police officer. You may see another police officer and another police officer. Where we are found wanting, you may see support such as from prisons.” he said.

He said the presence of sister security agencies outside polling areas should reassure the public that security is guaranteed.

“The presence of other sister forces outside the polling spaces should be an assurance to our people that there is security everywhere, led by the Uganda Police Force,” he said.

The IGP warned that police will closely monitor and act against misinformation and disinformation that could trigger unrest.

“We will continue to monitor, counter misinformation and disinformation likely to cause unrest, and we will continue to support legal mechanisms for dispute resolution,” he said.

Byakagaba has said the Uganda Police Force will play a preventive, professional and non-intrusive role during polling, aimed at creating a safe and enabling environment for voters rather than intimidating them.

Byakagaba said police will focus on lawful management of demonstrations, transparency through public information, and protection of the electoral process.

“Our role is preventive, not intrusive. We are here to provide an enabling environment for voting.” Byakagaba said.

He explained that the primary responsibility of police during polling will be to secure the outer perimeter of polling stations, while maintaining order and calm.

“The primary role of the police is to secure the outer perimeter, protect polling officials, protect electoral materials, and protect the people within the polling environment,” he said.

According to the IGP, police officers will only intervene in cases of disturbance or breach of peace, and even then, restraint will be exercised.

“In the event of a disturbance, breach or disorder, our duty is to restore calm. Arrests will only be made lawfully and only when it is absolutely necessary.” he added

Byakagaba said police will also play a critical role in safeguarding electoral materials and results throughout the entire process.

“We shall provide security for electoral materials from storage facilities, to polling stations, and to tally centres. We shall also provide security at tally centres and ensure the protection of election results.” he said.

He revealed that police have conducted pre-election threat assessments to identify potential hotspots and will deploy officers strategically to prevent escalation.

“We have already identified strategic hotspots through threat assessments and deployed accordingly,” he said.

On post-voting security, Byakagaba said police will maintain stability in polling areas until official results are announced.

“We shall maintain visible deployments, stabilize polling areas after voting, and ensure calm prevails,” he said.

The IGP added that layered access control protocols will be enforced to ensure only authorised persons access sensitive electoral areas.

“We shall implement layered access control protocols to allow only those lawfully permitted to access polling and tally areas,” he said.

He said police will escort and secure the transportation of Declaration of Results (DR) forms from polling stations to tally centres to preserve the integrity of results.

Byakagaba also mentioned that the police are committed to peaceful elections.

“We call for collaboration and vigilance from all stakeholders to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process and strengthen public confidence in democracy.”

He added that police are determined to exercise civility and responsibility while working with all stakeholders and appreciated the role of election observers in promoting transparency and accountability.