Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has announced that the elite Special Forces Command (SFC) will be solely responsible for providing security to all presidential candidates during the upcoming 2026 General Elections.
The move, which underscores a shift in Uganda’s security strategy ahead of the election season, was announced via Muhoozi’s official X account on Monday.
“I have said it once and for all, ALL Presidential Candidates will be guarded ONLY by SFC! Any personal arrangements that do not concur with our standard operating procedures (SOPs) will be smashed immediately,” Gen Muhoozi declared.
The SFC, widely regarded as the country’s most elite military unit, is traditionally tasked with protecting the President, First Family, and other critical national interests.
However, this is the first time it has been publicly designated as the exclusive provider of security for all presidential contenders.
Muhoozi’s message signals a tighter grip by the security establishment on electoral security, aiming to minimize risks, maintain uniformity in protection, and avoid parallel or unregulated security setups during campaigns.
Analysts view the directive as part of a broader effort to centralize control over campaign activities, particularly in a political environment that has seen heightened tensions and security concerns in past election cycles.
While some critics may question whether such a directive limits individual candidates’ autonomy, supporters argue it ensures consistent security standards and prevents infiltration or misuse of private guards during campaigns.
The announcement comes as political parties and presidential hopefuls begin preparations for what is expected to be a high-stakes 2026 election.
The Electoral Commission has recently revised the presidential nomination dates, announcing that the exercise will now take place on the 23rd and 24th of September 2025, instead of the previously scheduled date of 2nd October 2025.
