GENEVA - Next week's elections in Uganda will take place in an environment marked by widespread repression and intimidation against the political opposition, human rights defenders, journalists and those with dissenting views, says a report from the UN Human Rights Office.
The report highlights how the authorities have used a series of laws enacted or amended since the last election in 2021, entrenching repression and impunity, particularly against the opposition, and restricting the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly ahead of the 15 January polls.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called on the Ugandan authorities to uphold the rights of all Ugandans to take part in the public affairs of their country.
"The Ugandan authorities must ensure all Ugandans can participate fully and safely in the election, as is their right under international law," said Türk. "They must, among others, ensure that no unnecessary or disproportionate force, including lethal force, is used to disperse peaceful protests."
Under international human rights law, firearms must only be used as a measure of last resort to prevent imminent death or serious injury.
The UN Human Rights Office report details how the Ugandan authorities have used legislation, including the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act of 2022, the Non-Governmental Organizations (Amendment) Act of 2024 and the Uganda People's Defence Forces (Amendment) Act of 2025, to silence those with dissenting views. The laws have been used to arrest and detain opposition leaders and activists, raid the premises of political opposition parties and confiscate their property, as well as to suspend radio stations, arrest bloggers, and tighten control over NGOs.
The report states that "undue restrictions have been imposed on opposition parties, particularly the National Unity Platform (NUP), through various means, including roadblocks, raids, seizure or blocking of access to party headquarters/offices, forced confinement at residences, and forced dispersal" of their gatherings.
Leading opposition figure Kizza Besigye remains in detention on questionable treason charges since he was abducted in neighbouring Kenya in November 2024. He and his associate Obeid Lutale have been repeatedly denied bail on unclear grounds. The recent arrest of renowned human rights defender Sarah Bireete, as well as the Government's recent directive imposing a blanket ban on live broadcasting of "riots" and "unlawful processions" are the latest in a series of concerning developments.
The report says security forces, including police, the military and the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force, have unlawfully used firearms and live ammunition to disperse peaceful assemblies in the lead up to the elections, and to carry out arbitrary arrests and prolonged pre-trial detentions, particularly targeting the political opposition. It says that security forces have often used unmarked vans - commonly known as "drones" - to abduct opposition party members and supporters, and held them in incommunicado detention at unauthorized sites known as "safe houses".
"Such tactics - grounded in vague or obscure legal justifications - have also disproportionately restricted the freedom of movement of opposition party leaders and supporters, hindering their ability to travel across the country for political rallies and mobilization efforts," says the report.
The UN Human Rights Chief called for those responsible for election-related human rights violations, including unresolved violations from the 2021 elections, to be held to account through fair proceedings following effective, thorough, and impartial investigations.
To read the full report, click here
