We are ready to rise” — Mabirizi Warn of mass mobilisation if EC rigs 2026 vote
Kampala, November 30, 2025 — Conservative Party presidential candidate Elton Joseph Mabirizi rattled nerves at the NTV/Spark TV presidential debate held at Serena Hotel on Saturday when he said he has “already mobilised more than 3 million people” prepared to confront the Electoral Commission if the 2026 election is manipulated. Mabirizi’s remarks — delivered amid a charged atmosphere as multiple candidates traded barbs and tactics — underscored deepening distrust between opposition figures and the EC. Monitor
Mabirizi framed his warning as a defensive pledge to safeguard the will of voters, saying his supporters would not accept what he described as a historically compromised electoral process. He argued that peaceful channels had been exhausted and that broad mobilisation would be necessary to deter or respond to alleged rigging. His comments came during a wide-ranging debate in which candidates discussed everything from political repression to electoral logistics. Monitor+1
Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama has repeatedly urged calm and emphasised the EC’s duty to conduct “regular, free and fair” elections — a stance he reiterated in recent public statements responding to escalating campaign rhetoric. Byabakama has condemned violence while urging political actors to use legal and institutional channels to resolve disputes. Critics, including Mabirizi, say such reassurances are insufficient. Monitor+1
Tensions on stage, anxieties off it
The Serena Hotel debate was the first high-profile multi-candidate face-off this campaign season and highlighted fault lines within Uganda’s opposition. While some candidates emphasised legal remedies, institutional reform and voter education, Mabirizi opted for a more confrontational posture — promising broad mobilisation should the EC be perceived to act unfairly. His declaration immediately drew attention on social and traditional media, where pundits debated whether the rhetoric risks escalating tensions or reflects genuine popular alarm about electoral integrity. Monitor+1
“We have already mobilized more than 3 million people to rise and fight against Byabakama’s EC if it tries to rig the election,” Mabirizi said during the debate, according to the Daily Monitor’s live coverage. Those words were echoed in clips and posts that spread across social platforms within minutes. Monitor
“We have already mobilized more than 3 million people to rise and fight against Byabakama’s EC.” — Elton Joseph Mabirizi, CP presidential candidate. Monitor
EC pushes back, calls for restraint
In the days leading up to the debate the EC chair, Justice Byabakama, sought to defuse alarm by reiterating the commission’s responsibilities and urging political actors to avoid violence. He has also laid out logistical plans and reiterated polling dates previously announced by the EC, including the presidential election scheduled for January 15, 2026 — a timetable that places pressure on parties to finalise preparations and challenge procedures through legal mechanisms. Observers say the EC’s public posture attempts to balance reassurance with firm rules, but sceptics remain uneasy. Monitor+1
“Violence doesn’t add value to Uganda’s democracy,” Byabakama said in public remarks this month, urging leaders to use institutional channels to settle disputes. Monitor
What observers say
Analysts say Mabirizi’s mobilisation claims should be measured against evidence on the ground — such large-scale organisation would require visible, sustained logistics and mobilisation networks. Some experts warn that talk of mass mobilisation risks provoking heavy-handed security responses or creating pretexts for clampdowns. Others argue the comments reflect profound mistrust in state institutions that must be addressed through transparency measures, independent monitoring and judicial readiness to adjudicate electoral grievances. Monitor+1
Stakes ahead
With the EC’s voter register and polling logistics already under scrutiny and campaign temperatures rising, Mabirizi’s declaration adds a combustible element to the pre-election landscape. Whether his pledge translates into disciplined civic action, chaotic confrontation, or little follow-through will shape both how the 2026 vote is administered and how Ugandans perceive the legitimacy of its outcome. For now, the debate left Kampala and the nation watching — and worrying — as election day draws nearer. Monitor+1
“If institutions are not trusted, the people will look for other means to defend their rights.” — Political analyst (commentary summarising expert views). Monitor+1
Reporting note: This story draws on live debate coverage and recent statements by the Electoral Commission. The EC has confirmed election polling dates and has appealed for calm; Mabirizi’s declaration was reported live by the Daily Monitor at the Serena debate. Monitor+2Monitor+2
