Uganda Breaks Silence on Claims of Citizens Crossing Into Kenya Ahead of 2027 Election

The Ugandan government has warned its citizens against crossing into Kenya to take part in the country’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 General Election. The warning was issued during a press briefing on Thursday, October 8, 2026.

The government has directed authorities in districts bordering Kenya to take action against any Ugandan found crossing into Kenya to participate in voter registration or other political activities.

The directive was issued by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga following media reports that some Ugandans were crossing into Kenya to register as voters ahead of next year’s elections.

Uganda Defends Kenya’s Sovereignty Ahead of 2027 General Election

Kadaga said Uganda respects Kenya’s sovereignty and democratic processes and expects the same from its neighbour.

“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,” Kadaga said.

She said it would be improper for Ugandan citizens or institutions to participate in the electoral affairs of another sovereign country.

“So it’s not proper and contrary to good and bad in this, for Uganda, its institutions to participate in the electoral affairs of another sovereign state,” she added.

The Ugandan government has also distanced itself from reports that its citizens were crossing the border to participate in Kenya’s voter registration exercise.

Kadaga said the reports were unverified but warned that any such involvement would not be accepted by the Ugandan government.

Border Districts Put on Alert

Kadaga directed authorities and local leaders in districts along the Uganda-Kenya border to closely monitor the situation.

She named Bukwo, Moroto, Amudat, Namisindwa, Bududa, Busia, Namayingo and Tororo among the areas whose authorities should take a keen interest in the matter.

“In that regard, we are instructing the state agencies and local leaders in the following districts of Bukwo, Moroto, Amudat, Namisindwa, Bududa, Busia, Namayingo and Tororo to take a keen and coordinated interest in this matter,” she said.

Kadaga directed the authorities to ensure Ugandan citizens living in the border areas do not cross into Kenya to take part in political or electoral activities.

“We should ensure that Ugandan citizens within those boundaries are not crossing to Kenya or otherwise involve themselves in political electoral activities,” she said.

Also Read:IEBC Addresses Key Issues in Response to Voter Registration Claims

Kadaga Rules Out Dual Citizenship in EAC

Kadaga also addressed the issue of dual citizenship, saying there is no provision within the East African Community for a person to simultaneously hold Kenyan and Ugandan citizenship.

“It’s not possible to be a Kenyan and a Ugandan at the same time. In East Africa we don’t have dual citizenship,” she said.

She added that a person would have to relinquish one citizenship to acquire another.

“So either you relinquish one and take another. You cannot be both. You cannot have allegiance to two countries,” Kadaga said.

Also Read:Why Many Kenyans Are Not Registering as Voters Ahead of 2027 Elections

KTN Uganda Voter Expose

The government’s response follows an expose by KTN on claims that some Ugandans living near the Kenya-Uganda border were crossing into Kenya to take part in the voter registration exercise ahead of the 2027 General Election.

One of the leaders speaking to Ugandans was heard saying, “Wote tuingie kwa serikali ya William Ruto,” as the claims about their involvement in Kenya’s electoral process emerged.

The claims, however, have been disputed. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) rejected the allegations as unsubstantiated and said it had not received credible evidence of foreigners being illegally registered as Kenyan voters.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) also dismissed claims linking one of its officers to the alleged movement of voter registration materials across the border, describing the allegations as false and without foundation.

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