The Ugandan government has directed authorities in districts bordering Kenya to stop citizens from crossing into the neighbouring country to participate in political or electoral activities following allegations of illegal voter registration ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election.
Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga issued the directive on Wednesday, October 7, while addressing the media on security matters in the country.
Kadaga instructed state agencies and local leaders in eight districts to monitor cross-border movements and take action against citizens involved in electoral activities in Kenya.
The affected districts are Bukwa, Moroto, Amudat, Namisindwa, Busia, Tororo, Namayingo and Buikwe.
“We are instructing the state agencies and local leaders in the following districts to take a keen and coordinated interest in this matter. We should ensure that Ugandan citizens within those boundaries are not crossing to Kenya or otherwise involving themselves in political or electoral activities,” Kadaga said.
Uganda raises sovereignty concerns
Kadaga, who also serves as Uganda’s Minister for East African Community Affairs, said her government respects Kenya’s sovereignty and expects Nairobi to respect Uganda’s democratic processes in return.
She argued that Ugandan institutions should not take part in another country’s electoral affairs.
“As a country, we respect the sovereignty of Kenya, and we also expect them to respect our sovereignty and the democratic processes going on in each country,” she said.
Kadaga also addressed concerns surrounding dual citizenship, arguing that citizens should not hold allegiance to both countries while participating in their electoral processes.
“You cannot vote both in Kenya and Uganda. So either you relinquish one and take another. You cannot be both. You cannot have allegiance to two countries,” she stated.
KTN exposé sparks concern
This directive comes after a KTN News exposé aired towards the end of September that indicated that some Ugandans are obtaining Kenyan identity cards and registering as voters in preparation for the 2027 General Election.
This investigation highlighted the allegations that some materials associated with elections are being taken across the Kenya-Uganda border through the Suam border region.
The investigations indicate that some of the DCI officers intercepted a vehicle carrying the election materials on April 18, 2023, following which, one of the officers was posted to Nairobi.
However, the DCI denied all these claims stating that no such incident took place as no officers had intercepted the vehicle, questioned the individuals accompanying the car, confiscated any materials or posted an officer based on this issue.
IEBC rejects claims about illegal registration
These claims have been addressed by Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
According to IEBC, there have been allegations of illegal registration of voters, transfer of voters without permission and registration of foreign nationals before the next general election.
IEBC has also dismissed the allegations of use of data of people who are dead in the election process.
Kenya is expected to hold its next General Election in August 2027, with voter registration and the integrity of the electoral process likely to remain key issues in the run-up to the polls.