UN experts have issued a stark warning regarding the upcoming general elections in Uganda, scheduled for 15 January 2026, highlighting a pervasive climate of fear that undermines the potential for peaceful voting. They expressed concern that patterns of repression observed during the 2021 elections—such as enforced disappearances—are reappearing, with at least 160 cases reported in 2025 alone. Heavy security presence has been used to suppress opposition rallies, sometimes employing chemical irritants, water cannons, and live ammunition, resulting in confirmed fatalities. Allegations also include the use of unmarked vehicles to abduct opposition members for incommunicado detention.
The experts noted that more than 550 members and supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) have been arrested for political activity, and the government has not fully enforced a Supreme Court ruling requiring the transfer of cases from military to civilian courts. They stressed that such actions collectively create conditions unsuitable for free and fair elections and called for decisive measures to prevent violence and reprisals.
Press freedom and digital rights have also been under severe pressure. During the campaign period, journalists have faced physical assault, equipment damage, suspension of radio programs, and revocation of accreditations for critical reporting. The government’s use of the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act has further restricted online dissent. Civil society organizations, especially those focused on sexual orientation and gender identity, have encountered barriers including frozen bank accounts, delayed permits, and denial of registration, pointing to systemic discrimination. Reports of digital surveillance, hacking, and spyware targeting human rights defenders and civil society leaders have emerged, discouraging active civic engagement.
The experts emphasized that protecting an active and independent civil society is essential for a credible pre-election process. They reminded the Ugandan government of its obligations to enable participation in public affairs without violence or discrimination and urged immediate measures to halt violence, clarify the fate of disappeared individuals, cease disproportionate force, and avoid internet or social media shutdowns.
Finally, the experts called for prompt, impartial, and thorough investigations into human rights violations, holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring reparation for victims. They stressed that elections cannot be deemed free and fair if citizens’ rights to assembly, association, and expression are restricted, warning that closing spaces for dissent risks further electoral violence. They continue to engage with the Ugandan government on these critical issues.
