Amnesty International has accused Ugandan authorities of carrying out a “brutal campaign of repression” against opposition supporters ahead of the country’s elections. The organisation warned that security forces have employed excessive force, arbitrary arrests, and torture to disrupt opposition activities.
The human rights group documented multiple incidents in which police and military personnel attacked peaceful rallies organised by the National Unity Platform (NUP), including the Kawempe rally on November 24 and the Iganga rally on November 28.
“The authorities have launched a brutal campaign of repression against the opposition and its supporters, making it extremely difficult for them to exercise their rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa.
Witnesses reported that in Kawempe, authorities fired tear gas and pepper spray at crowds following the arrival of NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine. The attack caused a stampede that left dozens injured. Police allegedly used dogs to intimidate attendees, forced people into vehicles with rifle butts, and beat them with batons and wires.
In Iganga, security forces reportedly blocked one of the exits at the Railway Grounds before opening fire on the crowd trying to leave. Miseach Okello, 35, died, and an unknown number of others were injured. The victim’s family said they were denied access to the postmortem process, a death certificate, and the cause of death, raising concerns about obstruction of justice.
“Nobody should die simply for exercising their rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly. Authorities must immediately open impartial and thorough investigations into all alleged instances of unlawful use of force by security forces. Those responsible should be brought to justice in fair trials without recourse to the death penalty,” Chagutah said.
Amnesty International also documented widespread restrictions on freedom of movement. In several districts, authorities closed roads and redirected opposition rallies to longer routes without legal justification, preventing NUP leaders and supporters from reaching campaign venues.
Over 400 people have been arrested nationwide for attending rallies or for perceived support of the opposition. Court charges against detainees include malicious damage, obstruction, incitement, and assaulting police, though Amnesty noted that many were likely arrested solely for their political affiliation. Survivors recounted being beaten with batons, pepper-sprayed, tasered, and sustaining broken bones and other injuries.
“The Ugandan authorities must uphold their human rights obligations and allow the opposition to hold its campaign rallies without undue restrictions and without subjecting their leaders and supporters to arrests, torture or other ill-treatment,” stated Chagutah.
“They must immediately and unconditionally release anyone detained solely for attending opposition rallies or for their actual or perceived support for the NUP,” the regional director added.