The United Nations has urged Uganda to ensure its upcoming elections are safe, warning authorities against violence as political tensions rise nationwide. The appeal comes ahead of the January 15 presidential and parliamentary vote, a contest shadowed by memories of bloodshed and repression.
President Yoweri Museveni, 81, who has ruled since 1986, is seeking another term after nearly four decades in power. His main challenger is Bobi Wine, a 43-year-old pop star turned politician, who has become a powerful symbol of opposition hopes.
The UN Human Rights Office said repression and impunity have become entrenched since the last election in 2021. It cited shrinking civic space, limits on free speech, and growing obstacles to peaceful protest across the country.
Rights chief Volker Türk called on authorities to guarantee participation “fully and safely” for all Ugandans. He warned that no unnecessary force, including lethal force, should ever be used against peaceful demonstrators.
A UN report said laws have been repeatedly used to silence dissent, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. It documented arrests of opposition figures, raids on party offices, confiscation of property, and suspensions of radio stations.
The report added that bloggers were detained, non-governmental organisations faced tighter controls, and opposition activities were heavily restricted. It said Bobi Wine’s National Unity Platform was particularly targeted by what it called undue and politically motivated limitations.
Another prominent opposition figure, Kizza Besigye, was abducted in Kenya in November 2024 and remains detained in Uganda. The UN said he is being held on what it described as questionable treason charges. Amnesty International also accused security forces of torture and arbitrary arrests aimed at intimidating the opposition before the vote.
It reported beatings and tear gas attacks against National Unity Platform supporters during recent political activities. The UN further alleged unlawful use of firearms, prolonged pre-trial detention, and abductions carried out with unmarked vehicles known as “drones.”
It said detainees were often held incommunicado at unauthorised locations referred to as “safe houses.” Dozens of people were killed during the 2021 campaign period, when authorities also shut down the internet before polling day. Fears of renewed digital blackouts have grown since Uganda restricted imports of Starlink and other satellite internet equipment in December.