The Director of Crime Intelligence at the Uganda Police Force, Major General Christopher Damulira, has issued a stern warning to students at Makerere University to shun violence, respect the law, and participate peacefully in the forthcoming January 15 voting exercise.
Gen Damulira was addressing students under the Baganda Nkobazambogo Students Association during a mentorship workshop held at Makerere University on Monday, which focused on peaceful co-existence, national unity, election security, and the promotion of national values.
Speaking against the backdrop of heightened political activity as the country heads into the voting period, the high-ranking military officer emphasized that the youth must not allow themselves to be used as instruments of chaos.
He stressed that elections should be conducted in a calm and lawful environment, warning that acts of violence, disorder, or incitement would attract the full force of the law.
“The future of this country rests heavily on the choices young people make today,” Gen Damulira noted, urging students to exercise their democratic rights responsibly and to avoid any actions that could undermine national stability.
He also raised concern over the growing misuse of social media, cautioning students against engaging in online abuse, hate speech, and the spread of disinformation.
Gen Damulira warned that false and misleading content shared on digital platforms has the potential to inflame tensions, disrupt public order, and mislead voters, calling on students to verify information before sharing it.
The mentorship workshop aimed to instill values of responsible citizenship among students, encouraging them to act as ambassadors of peace within their communities during the electoral period.
Organizers said the engagement was part of broader efforts to promote unity and peaceful participation among young people ahead of the polls.
As the January 15 voting day draws closer, security agencies continue to appeal to citizens, especially the youth, to uphold peace, obey the law, and contribute to a stable and orderly electoral process.