Elections in four Horyzon project countries in 2026

2026 will be a decisive year for four countries in which Horyzon is active: Uganda, Haiti, Nepal and Colombia. National elections are coming up in all of them - democratic milestones that can trigger great hopes, but also create uncertainty. For local people, especially young people, who are at the heart of Horyzon's projects, political developments have a direct impact on everyday life: security, educational opportunities, political participation and future prospects all depend on them. The election events themselves are also often marked by protests and security problems.

Compared to Switzerland, where elections are stable, transparent and with free access to information, many people in different countries experience different realities. Violence, restricted freedom of expression and technical obstacles can make election processes more difficult. For Horyzon and the local partner organizations, this means that some project activities have to be paused during the elections. Travel to the countries is not possible during this time, and online meetings between Horyzon project managers and local staff often have to be canceled or postponed.

Uganda: Between the desire for change and political reality

Elections were held in Uganda on January 15, 2026. Long-term president Yoweri Museveni emerged victorious once again and is now entering his 40th year in office. The elections were accompanied by restrictions: The internet was blocked nationwide, technical problems at polling stations and the arrest of opposition supporters led to criticism and affected many people's confidence in a fair process. Young people in particular are longing for change, which President Museveni's re-election will not bring. Many experience on a daily basis how difficult it is to express themselves freely or get involved in politics. Although the young refugees involved in the Horyzon project "Hope Beyond Borders" were unable to vote due to their status, they are able to get involved in peace groups or dialog with politicians as part of the project.

Haiti: hope for a new beginning

National elections are to be held in Haiti in 2026 for the first time in ten years - the first round in August and the second in December. No elections have been possible since 2016 due to the general situation and the security situation, and the country has been led by a transitional government in recent years. The electoral process is still under great pressure: many areas, especially urban areas, are controlled by armed groups, making safe elections difficult in large parts of the country. The population has been suffering from a profound humanitarian and political crisis for years. Violence, a lack of state structures and restricted freedom of movement characterize everyday life. Many hope that the elections will bring back stability, security and trust - but without adequate protection and transparent implementation, the process remains risky.

Nepal: Young people are shaping democratic change

Nepal is electing a new House of Representatives on March 5, 2026. A total of 275 seats will be allocated: 165 of them by direct election, the remaining seats according to the parties' share of the vote. The elections follow major protests led by young people in September 2025, which brought down parliament and led to an interim government. For the first time in Nepal, a woman was appointed prime minister. After the elections in March, the winning parties will form a new government and elect a new prime minister. Whether this will meet the demands of the younger generation is unclear. Today, the young generation plays a central role: they are demanding more transparency, a say and a policy that takes the reality of their lives seriously. The elections offer Nepal the chance to stabilize itself after turbulent years and to break new ground.

Colombia: an election marked by polarization

On May 31, 2026, Colombia will elect a new president, as the current incumbent Gustavo Petro cannot run again after one term in office according to the constitution. Polls show a politically divided country with several strong candidates and many undecided voters. Colombia is still caught between the peace process, economic challenges and political polarization, which is particularly evident in the run-up to elections, where the security situation is even more tense. For Horyzon's local partner organization and the "Paza la Paz" project, this also has a direct impact on activities in the months leading up to the elections, as there is a cut-off period for public funds flowing into the project. For many people, the election decisions are about stability, security and the continuation or reorientation of key reforms. Young people and marginalized groups in particular feel the consequences of political decisions strongly and hope for a government that will open up new prospects for them.

Sources: wikipedia.org, Latin-american.news, caribbeannationalweekly.com, latinamericareports.com