The Ugandan government has directed security agencies in eight districts along its border with Kenya to prevent Ugandan citizens from crossing over to participate in Kenya's voter registration exercise. First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, who is also the minister for East African Community Affairs, announced the directive on October 8, 2026. The move aims to disassociate Uganda from reports that some of its citizens had been crossing the frontier to register for Kenya's 2027 General Election.
The districts covered by the instruction are Obuko, Moroto, Amodat, Namisindwa, Wijiri, Busia, Namengo, and Tororo. Local leaders have been tasked with working with security agencies to enforce the directive and arrest those who attempt to cross the border for voter registration. Kadaga emphasized that allowing Ugandan citizens to participate in Kenya's electoral process would offend national sovereignty and the principle of non-interference in neighboring states' democratic affairs.
The Ugandan government's stance comes amid accusations by western Kenya leaders that the Kenyan government has been facilitating the entry of voters from Uganda to influence the outcome of the 2027 General Election. Although the media reports behind these claims have not been verified, Kadaga's government has chosen to respond and condemn the practice should it be happening. The voter registration exercise is ongoing, and Uganda and Kenya share a long border with busy crossings, including Busia and Tororo.
Kadaga also rejected the suggestion that people can hold both Ugandan and Kenyan citizenship simultaneously. Under the East African Community framework, she argued, dual citizenship of this nature does not exist, and a person who takes up one nationality must relinquish the other. This stance is in line with the principles of the East African Community, which aims to promote cooperation and integration among member states.
The Ugandan directive has not elicited an official response from the Kenyan government. However, the claims by western Kenya leaders and the reports of cross-border registration they rely on remain unverified. The Kenyan government's silence on the matter has raised questions about the potential impact of the Ugandan directive on the 2027 General Election.
The voter registration exercise is a critical process that will determine the eligibility of citizens to participate in the 2027 General Election. The exercise has been ongoing, and citizens are encouraged to register to exercise their right to vote. The Ugandan government's directive has added a new layer of complexity to the process, with implications for Ugandan citizens who may wish to participate in Kenya's electoral process.
The situation at the Uganda-Kenya border remains volatile, with security agencies on high alert to prevent Ugandan citizens from crossing over to register as Kenyan voters. The incident has highlighted the need for greater cooperation and communication between Uganda and Kenya on matters related to electoral processes and citizenship.
Key points
- Uganda has instructed security agencies to prevent its citizens from registering as Kenyan voters.
- The directive covers eight districts along the Uganda-Kenya border.
- The Ugandan government has rejected the idea of dual citizenship with Kenya.
