As Ugandans prepare to vote in the 15 January 2026 general elections, systematic repression and restrictions on fundamental freedoms threaten the credibility of the process. The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) urges authorities to take immediate steps to ensure transparency, safety, and openness essential for genuine democratic legitimacy.<\/p>\n
Paris, Johannesburg, 14 January 2026. With just one day until polling day, the electoral environment is marked by severe restrictions on opposition activity and civic participation. President Yoweri Museveni, seeking a seventh consecutive term, faces a main opposition challenger in presidential candidate Bobi Wine, but the campaign has been conducted under conditions that raise serious concerns about fair political competition. Opposition supporters face arrest and intimidation, leading opposition figures have been detained, journalists covering opposition activities have been assaulted, and restrictions on digital communications threaten to limit voters\u2019 access to diverse information sources. These conditions create a risk that electoral outcomes may not reflect genuine voter choice.<\/p>\n
Detention of opposition leaders and electoral participation<\/p>\n
Opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye was abducted<\/a> from Kenya on 16 November 2024 and remains in detention on treason charges, preventing his participation in the 15 January elections. His detention raises questions about whether all major opposition figures have had equal opportunity to contest the presidency.\u200b<\/p>\n Human rights lawyer Sarah Bireete, who has documented human rights violations, and has been a leading voice on electoral management monitoring, was arrested<\/a> on 30 December 2025\u2014just 16 days before the election\u2014on charges related to accessing the national voters\u2019 register. Her arrest raises concerns about the treatment of those seeking to monitor electoral processes.\u200b<\/p>\n On 9 January 2026, the National Bureau for Non-Governmental Organisations suspended<\/a> the operating permits of five prominent CSOs – Chapter Four Uganda, the Alliance for Election Finance Monitoring (ACFIM), the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-U), the National NGO Forum, and the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders. The Bureau cited alleged prejudice \u2018to the security and the laws of Uganda\u2019 under Section 42(d) of the NGO Act, Cap. 109 (as amended), and ordered the freezing of their accounts. These organisations play an essential role in defending civic freedoms, moniroting elections, and supporting human rights. Their suspension just days before the polls further narrows the civic space and undermines independent oversight of the electoral process.<\/p>\n Opposition mobilisation and campaign violence<\/p>\n The National Unity Platform (NUP), the main opposition force led by presidential candidate Bobi Wine, has faced significant obstacles<\/a> to campaigning. Over 400 NUP supporters have been arrested on politically motivated charges in recent months. During the Kawempe north by-election in March 2025, security forces killed NUP supporter Miseach Okello during opposition campaign activities.\u200b\u200b<\/p>\n NUP rallies have been disrupted by security forces, limiting candidates\u2019 ability to campaign and citizens\u2019 opportunity to hear political messages. These restrictions on opposition campaign activity undermine the ability of voters to make informed choices between competing candidates.<\/p>\n Media freedom and access to information<\/p>\n