from HASSAN ONYANGO in Kampala, Uganda
Uganda Bureau
KAMPALA, (CAJ News) – A spate of abductions of opposition figures, attacks on journalists, and the blocking of opposition campaign rallies is raising concerns about the fairness of Uganda’s upcoming general elections.
Critics argue that these violations ahead of the 15 January polls skew the process in favour of the incumbent, Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for 40 years.
Recent months have been marked by suppression of the opposition, violence, intimidation, and selective application of the law, all of which have intensified less than a week before the elections.
The opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), led by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, is seen as a major threat to Museveni and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). This week, NUP reported that its candidate for Kawempe South, Mukiibi Denis, had been abducted.
The abductors are allegedly armed soldiers, accused of targeting government critics and opponents.
“He joins a long list of NUP leaders and activists who are being picked up as we approach the 2026 election. Protest Vote 2026 can bring an end to this madness,” Wine said.
Wine also reported that police blocked his campaigns in Bukwo and Moroto. Security forces have previously disrupted his rallies.
In Kween district, security forces allegedly assaulted Ivan Mbadi, a video journalist for Buganda Broadcasting Services (BBS) TV, while he was covering Wine’s campaign.
The Human Rights Network for Journalists–Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) strongly condemned the continued attacks and harassment of journalists carrying out their professional duties.
“Any assault, intimidation, or obstruction of journalists—especially during the coverage of political events—is a grave violation of press freedom and the right to information,” the network said, emphasising the crucial role of journalists in informing the public and safeguarding democracy.
At the time of publishing, the Electoral Commission of Uganda (EC) had not provided political parties with the National Voters’ Register, despite the legal requirement to do so at least 14 days before an election.
NUP alleges the register contains tens of thousands of multiple entries, inconsistencies in voter details, and records of deceased people. Justice Simon Byabakama chairs the EC.
“There has never been an Electoral Commission as incompetent, partisan, and fraudulent as Byabakama’s. The people of Uganda must reclaim their country and put an end to this nonsense,” Wine said.
On 30 December, lawyer and activist Sarah Bireete was arrested on charges of unlawfully obtaining and disclosing National Voters’ Register data.
This week, security operatives also arrested an unnamed man said to be the founder of Fanon software and shut down the website, which was designed to help voters locate their polling stations without requiring national identification numbers.
The government said media must operate within the law. “Broadcasting violence, spreading hateful or inciting content, or publishing unverified election results is illegal and will attract enforcement action,” it stated.
Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defence Forces and Museveni’s son, described Wine as an “imperialist lackey and puppet,” warning:
“As you continue disrespecting our security and linking it to your personal gains, you are inviting problems upon yourself.”
Museveni, campaigning alongside his wife Janet, Minister of Education and Sports, staged the first rally in Entebbe. He credited his tenure with peace and wealth creation.
“Those promoting violence are enemies of wealth, jobs, and development,” he said.
Museveni (81) and musician Wine (43) are among eight presidential candidates, while 27 parties are contesting the elections.
Free and fair elections are essential for ensuring that citizens’ voices are heard, holding leaders accountable, and maintaining public trust in democratic institutions.
Without transparency and equal opportunity for all candidates, elections lose legitimacy and risk social unrest.
– CAJ News