The Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) has been placed under Standby Class One from December 15, 2025, to February 15, 2026, as part of heightened security measures ahead of the festive season and the January 15, 2026, general elections.
Standby Class One is the highest state of operational readiness within Uganda’s uniformed security services. When declared, it places the entire institution on maximum alert to respond swiftly to any security threat, emergency, or unusual situation.
In this case, the declaration coincides with a politically sensitive period as Ugandans prepare to vote for a new president, as well as parliamentary and local government leaders. In a press statement, commissioner general of Prisons Dr Johnson Byabashaija directed all prison units across the country to intensify security, intelligence gathering, and coordination with sister security and intelligence agencies during the two-month period.
According to the directive, all prison officers are required to remain fully alert and vigilant, with routine patrols conducted both inside and around prison facilities and staff barracks to prevent any security breaches.
UPS spokesperson Frank Baine Mayanja said several operational changes have been instituted. The use of hired prisoners’ labour, commonly known as kibarua, has been suspended until further notice.
In addition, staff leave has been significantly restricted, with only exceptional cases to be considered. Prison authorities have also announced a temporary suspension of prisoners’ visitations during specific high-risk periods.
Visits will not be permitted from December 24–27, 2025, January 1–4, 2026, and January 14–16, 2026. Access to all prison facilities and staff barracks will be strictly controlled throughout the Standby Class One period, with unauthorized persons barred from entering prison premises.
The prisons leadership has warned that officers in charge of units will be personally held accountable for any lapses resulting from non-compliance with the issued guidelines.
The heightened security posture comes as President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who has been in power for four decades, seeks another term in a contested race against seven other presidential candidates.
The elections will also cover parliamentary and local government positions, including district chairpersons, mayors, and councillors. The Standby Class One declaration also coincides with the detention of several opposition supporters, particularly those aligned with National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, many of whom were arrested during the ongoing campaign period.
Uganda has previously placed its security services on Standby Class One during politically sensitive moments. In 2022, the then deputy Chief of Defence Forces Gen Peter Elwelu declared the armed forces on standby following intelligence warnings as President Museveni prepared to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Similar measures were also taken in 2020 ahead of the 2021 general elections.
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