The Director of Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) AIGP Maj Tom Magambo has issued a stern warning to individuals planning to disrupt the upcoming elections in 2026.
He emphasized that the system will deal ruthlessly with anyone attempting to cause chaos or undermine the electoral process, underscoring the authorities’ commitment to maintaining order and ensuring a peaceful election.
Maj Magambo made this warning on Tuesday while addressing journalists about the first annual coordination meeting of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) where he said the security agencies are working day and night to ensure that Ugandans have a free and fair general election.
“There will be no chaos here! If you’re busy planning it, then you should expect the system to come for you. Our people must have a peaceful election, and whoever is planning to threaten our people, regardless of the political colors, will be dealt with accordingly,” Maj Magombo stated.
He reiterated the role of law enforcement in upholding the constitution and ensuring that the elections proceed without any disturbances.
“So I will be lying to you that we are going to sit down and watch you burning the city. That one will not happen I want to assure you if you’re planning, anarchy you prepare yourself because that is what the constitution has asked us to,” he said
Maj. Magambo’s warnings come at a time of heightened political tension in Uganda, particularly surrounding election periods. Past elections, including the 2021 general elections, have been marred by allegations of electoral fraud, human rights abuses by security agencies, and widespread unrest. Reports from previous elections highlight issues such as violence, arrests, and crackdowns on opposition parties and their supporters, casting a shadow over the integrity of the electoral process.
Despite the early nature of Magambo’s warning, it raises concerns about how security agencies will manage the upcoming elections. Historical patterns indicate that security forces have often been implicated in human rights violations and have played a role in undermining the fairness of the electoral process. As electoral reforms remain unaddressed, the effectiveness and impartiality of these agencies in ensuring a fair and peaceful election come under scrutiny.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) will hold the first annual ODPP/CID Coordination Meeting under the theme: ‘The Contribution of ODPP/CID in the Socio-Economic Transformation of Uganda.’ The two-day meeting will take place on the 4th and 5th of September, 2024 at CID Headquarters in Kampala.
The participants are investigators, prosecutors, and key stakeholders in the criminal justice system totaling 620. According to Maj Magambo, the current evolving nature of crime demands a concerted effort to address the unique challenges in undertaking effective investigations and prosecutions. Therefore the coordination between the ODPP and CID encourages and facilitates cooperation among prosecutors and investigators to ensure effective measures for preventing, detecting, investigating, and prosecuting crimes in Uganda.
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