Somali Civil Society Leader Says Regional Observers Key to Uganda Vote Credibility

GOOBJOOG NEWS | KAMPALA: Somali civil society leader Osman Moallim Shatah said regional election observation will play a critical role in ensuring the credibility and transparency of Uganda’s presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for Jan. 15, 2026.

Speaking on the sidelines of a two-day conference in Kampala, Shatah said his participation as part of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) observation mission reflects a broader regional commitment to upholding democratic standards and public confidence in electoral processes.

He said observers from IGAD, working alongside missions from the African Union (AU) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), would help verify results and assess whether voting procedures meet internationally recognised norms.

Shatah said the involvement of civil society figures in regional observer missions strengthens accountability, encourages peaceful participation and reinforces cooperation among countries in East Africa and the Horn of Africa, adding that credible elections are essential for long-term political stability in the region.