Uganda is careening toward a pivotal general election in January 2026, but the buildup is being overshadowed by a mounting crackdown on political opposition and press freedoms, drawing rare and forceful condemnation from the United Nations and raising difficult questions about the state of democracy in East Africa.
On December 3, 2025, Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, issued a strongly worded statement deploring what he called an "intensifying crackdown" on Uganda's opposition, media, and activists. According to Türk, "credible reports" indicate that at least 550 individuals—including many members and supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP), the country’s main opposition party—have been arrested since the start of the year. More than 300 of those detentions have occurred since the official campaign season began in September.
The charges against the detained range from public nuisance and disobedience of lawful orders to assault, obstruction, and incitement of violence, as reported by Anadolu Agency and confirmed in multiple UN statements. Yet, human rights advocates and opposition leaders argue these charges mask a broader, systematic effort to suppress dissent and intimidate political opponents as the election nears.
The sense of crisis was further underscored during a crucial meeting on December 3 between Uganda’s Electoral Commission and representatives of presidential candidates. Justice Simon Byabakama, the Commission’s chairperson, openly acknowledged the "volatile campaign atmosphere," expressing regret over the increasingly frequent and sometimes fatal confrontations between security forces and NUP supporters. "The clashes, some fatal, have soured what began as peaceful campaigns and left the public uneasy about the country’s political direction," Byabakama said, according to local reports.
Security forces have become a constant presence at opposition events, often deploying heavily armed units at NUP rallies and, in several cases, using force to disperse supporters. The UN and other observers documented the use of tear gas, whips, batons, water cannon, and chemical irritants to break up gatherings. Last week in the eastern town of Iganga, officers reportedly escalated further, firing live ammunition into a crowd—a move that resulted in at least one death and left three others wounded.
"It is deeply regrettable that election campaigns have once again been marked by widespread arbitrary arrests, detentions and the use of unnecessary or disproportionate force against the opposition, as well as undue restriction of press freedom," Türk said in his statement, as quoted by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. He urged Ugandan authorities to "cease the use of such repressive tactics to enable Ugandans to fully and peacefully exercise their right to participate in their country’s public affairs on election day, and in its aftermath."
The UN’s concerns go far beyond public arrests. Human rights monitors have flagged a disturbing pattern of clandestine detentions using unmarked minibuses—locally dubbed "drones"—to transport detainees to informal "safe houses." There, individuals are held incommunicado, denied contact with family or legal counsel, and, in some cases, subjected to torture or other ill-treatment. This practice, according to international law, is strictly prohibited and has become a focal point of international alarm.
One particularly troubling case occurred in May, when the head of Uganda’s military posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he was holding the bodyguard of NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi—better known as Bobi Wine—in his basement. The bodyguard was later presented in court "visibly shaking and showing other signs of physical torture," the UN reported. Despite the public outcry, no thorough investigation has been launched, and the court did not react to the clear signs of mistreatment.
Another high-profile incident involved two Kenyan activists detained after attending an opposition rally in Uganda in October. The pair were held incommunicado for over a month in what President Museveni reportedly called "the fridge" before being quietly handed over to Kenyan authorities. Their ordeal, which drew regional attention, stood in sharp contrast to the release of treason suspects in neighboring Tanzania, where a Dar es Salaam court dismissed charges against two activists on the same day as the UN’s warning to Uganda.
The crackdown has not been limited to political activists. Uganda’s media environment has come under severe strain, with journalists facing increasing restrictions and violence. In October, accreditations for reporters from NTV Uganda and Daily Monitor were withdrawn after they published critical reports about Parliament. Earlier in the year, at least 32 journalists and media workers were assaulted or had equipment confiscated during a parliamentary by-election in Kawempe North constituency. The UN described these actions as violations of Uganda’s commitments under international law and called for the immediate protection of journalists covering political events.
"The Ugandan authorities must halt all violence against the media and the opposition and act fully in accordance with their obligations under international human rights law," Türk insisted. He added, "All individuals arbitrarily deprived of liberty should be released."
Political observers say the current climate is not unique to Uganda. In Kenya, similar concerns have emerged, with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua accusing President William Ruto’s administration of using goons and plain-clothed police to disrupt recent by-elections. Gachagua warned, "Use of goons and police in civilian clothes to overturn the will of the people sets the stage for serious acrimony ahead of the 2027 General Elections." Although government-backed candidates ultimately won those contests, Gachagua’s comments reflect a broader regional unease about the abuse of state power during elections.
Families of detainees in Uganda continue to search for missing relatives, activists report ongoing surveillance and harassment, and journalists say that critical reporting increasingly invites retaliation. The Electoral Commission faces mounting pressure from political parties and civil society to restore confidence in the process, ensure equal access to campaign venues, and demand restraint from security agencies.
The stakes are high. With the general election only weeks away, Uganda stands at a crossroads. The UN’s rare and forceful intervention, the contrasting legal outcomes in Tanzania, and Kenya’s own electoral anxieties all highlight a region grappling with fundamental questions of democracy, accountability, and the limits of state power. As Uganda heads toward its defining vote, the world will be watching closely to see whether the country can chart a course that respects the rights and voices of all its citizens—or whether the cycle of repression will tighten further.
