Ugandan security forces have unlawfully targeted opposition rallies using unnecessary and excessive force, arbitrary arrests, and acts amounting to torture or other ill-treatment, according to Amnesty International. The organization reports that police and military personnel used tear gas, pepper spray, beatings, and intimidation tactics against peaceful crowds attending campaign events organized by the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), alongside imposing movement restrictions aimed at disrupting political activities.
Amnesty International documented incidents in Kawempe and Iganga where security officers dispersed peaceful gatherings with tear gas and pepper spray, causing panic and injuries. Eyewitnesses described how police used dogs, batons, wires, and rifle butts against attendees, forced people into trucks, and blocked exits with military vehicles. In Iganga, security forces reportedly opened fire as people attempted to leave a rally venue, resulting in the death of a 35-year-old attendee, Miseach Okello, and injuries to others under circumstances that raise concerns of unlawful use of force.
The family of the deceased told Amnesty International that armed officers prevented them from witnessing the postmortem examination and were never provided with a death certificate or an official cause of death. Amnesty International has called for impartial and thorough investigations into all alleged abuses and stressed that no one should lose their life for exercising the right to peaceful assembly.
Authorities have justified their actions by claiming opposition supporters engaged in violence and vandalism, but eyewitnesses interviewed by Amnesty International said rallies were peaceful and participants carried only national flags. The organization emphasized that international law requires law enforcement to prioritize non-violent methods and strictly limit the use of force, noting that the use of firearms to disperse assemblies is always unlawful.
Beyond violent dispersals, Amnesty International reported undue restrictions on freedom of movement, including road closures, diversions, and the blocking of opposition candidates from reaching campaign venues. Verified video evidence and testimonies suggest these measures were intended to delay or prevent opposition rallies without legal justification, violating standards governing peaceful assemblies.
The organization also documented widespread arbitrary arrests, with more than 400 people reportedly detained for attending opposition rallies or being perceived as NUP supporters. While many detainees were charged with offenses such as incitement or obstruction, evidence indicates that some were arrested solely due to their political affiliation. Several detainees reported being tortured or ill-treated in custody, including beatings, tasering, and pepper spray, resulting in serious injuries.
Amnesty International has urged Ugandan authorities to respect, protect, and uphold human rights before, during, and after the elections. It called for the immediate release of anyone detained solely for participating in opposition activities and for accountability for security forces responsible for abuses, stressing the need for justice through fair trials without recourse to the death penalty.
