Uganda has warned its citizens against crossing into Kenya to participate in political or electoral activities ahead of the 2027 General Election. First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga stated that the government had directed security agencies and local leaders in areas bordering Kenya to closely monitor the situation and prevent Ugandan citizens from becoming involved in Kenya's electoral affairs. This warning comes amid reports that some Ugandan nationals living along the Kenya-Uganda border were acquiring Kenyan identification documents and being registered as voters.
Kadaga addressed the media in Kampala on matters concerning Uganda's security and regional relations. She emphasized that Uganda did not want to interfere in Kenya's electoral process and respected Kenya's sovereignty. Kadaga stated that it was contrary to the principles of good neighbourliness for Ugandan institutions or officials to participate in the electoral affairs of another sovereign state. Her remarks followed allegations raised in Kenya, where the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has rejected claims of an organised scheme to register foreign nationals.
The issue comes as Kenya prepares for the August 10, 2027 General Election, with the integrity of the voters' register becoming a subject of public debate. The IEBC has maintained that the ongoing voter registration exercise is lawful and has urged anyone with evidence of malpractice to submit it to the commission for investigation. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has previously said efforts to facilitate identification and voter registration are intended for eligible Kenyan citizens living in neighbouring countries and not foreign nationals.
Kadaga directed security agencies and local leaders in eight districts to take a coordinated interest in the matter. They should ensure that Uganda's citizens within those boundaries do not cross into Kenya or otherwise involve themselves in political electoral activities in the Republic of Kenya. She also addressed the question of citizens holding allegiance to both countries, stating that a person could not simultaneously be a citizen of Kenya and Uganda for purposes of participating in the two countries' electoral processes.
Ugandan authorities have cautioned against allowing the electoral dispute to disrupt legitimate movement between the two countries, whose border communities have longstanding family, cultural and commercial ties. Kadaga stated that Uganda would continue to respect Kenya's sovereignty while addressing any concerns through established diplomatic and institutional channels. The warning comes as Kenya's electoral body has been working to ensure the integrity of the voters' register.
The allegations of Ugandan nationals acquiring Kenyan identification documents and being registered as voters have been raised in Kenya. However, the IEBC has rejected claims of an organised scheme to register foreign nationals. The commission has urged anyone with evidence of malpractice to submit it to the commission for investigation. The issue has sparked debate on the integrity of the voters' register in Kenya.
Uganda and Kenya have longstanding relations, with the two countries sharing a border and having significant cultural and commercial ties. The two countries have agreed to work together to establish the facts and ensure that anyone found to have acted unlawfully is dealt with according to the law. Kadaga emphasized that Uganda respected Kenya's sovereignty and expected the same in return.
Key points
- Uganda warns citizens against participating in Kenya's 2027 election
- Kenya's electoral body has rejected claims of an organised scheme to register foreign nationals
- Uganda and Kenya have agreed to work together to establish the facts on allegations of Ugandan nationals acquiring Kenyan identification documents
