Uganda’s recent elections, held on the 15th of January, secured another five years in power for Yoweri Moseveni. The election period was fraught with claims of threat and violence against the political opposition, raising concerns for the democratic nature of an election with a 70% majority. 

Moseveni’s seventh term in office, extending his 40 year presidency by another 5 years, has begun with international attention drawn to accounts of violence on election day, a complete and sustained shutdown of the internet, and oppression of activists, and civil groups, as well as political rivals. 

Democratic failures in the approach to election day:

  • Civic groups suspended: On the 12th of January, 10 civic groups were shutdown, Including NGO’s, media organisations, and election monitoring organisations, operations were ordered to cease indefinitely. Very limited information was provided as to why, a statement mentioning ‘intelligence information’ covering the basis for the order. 
  • Internet shutdowns: On the 13th of January, a blanket shutdown of the internet across the country left only emergency services and operations intact. The Uganda Communications Commission ordered the suspension to begin two days prior to the election, at 6pm. Email and messaging services, social media, and internet searches were suspended. This continued throughout election day, severely limiting public access to information in a clear human rights violation. This move was a close repeat of internet shutdowns by Ugandan authorities during the last two election periods, in 2016 and 2021. 
  • Activists arrested: Sara Bireete, an activist and director for the Centre of Constitutional Governance was arrested on December 30th, 2025. Her home was raided by security forces and she was arrested, then held in custody for 3 days before being charged with “unlawfully obtaining or disclosing personal data”. She remained in detention until after the election, her bail hearing set for January 21st. Bireete is a staunch human rights activist, concerned for the electoral and democratic process in her country. She has frequently voiced concerns online about the legitimacy of the electoral process and discrepancies in the voter registry. Her lawyer informed Human Rights Watch that during her arrest she was questioned about her online posts critical of the Ugandan government and president.

Political Rivals: Election Day Confusions and Allegations

Photo by Avel Chuklanov

On the 7th of January, just a week before the elections, Bobi Wine, Museveni’s biggest rival, claimed Ugandan security forces physically assaulted him and his colleagues; a headline that spread across newspapers throughout the country. This assault was never denied, instead the military responded with a counter-accusation about the group gathering outwith restricted times for a political procession. 

Sparking international attention, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights noted that over 500 supporters of Museveni’s opposition, the National Union Party, had been arrested in the run up to the election. Creating electoral scrutiny is helpful to maintain democratic process, but for those on the ground it can be vital protection against life-threatening violence. 

At least 7 people were killed on election day, with reported numbers inconsistent due to the internet shutdown. It is believed at least 21 people have been killed in some way connected to the election process in January. 

A critical issue on election day was a long delay in the opening of ballot stations in many areas. Voter turnout was only 52%, seemingly because of the failure of the new system of Biometric Voter Verification Kits. With vast regional disparities in the voting count, voter turnout has also been highlighted as a key reason for Museveni’s large majority win. In other words, opposition voters may have been scared, bullied, or harassed to discourage them from casting their votes. 

With the second highest percentage of the vote, Bobi Wine commented on social media about a likelihood of ballot stuffing by Museveni’s team. This comes alongside various reports of regions counting more votes for Museveni than they have registered voters. Meanwhile, several key opposition regions, Bobi Wine’s strongholds, recorded exceptionally low voter turnout, such as Kampala, which recorded only 28% of voters participating in the election. 

If the election didn’t already appear rigged, the military deployed around Bobi Wine’s home after he placed his vote on election day, a party spokesperson saying that Bobi Wine is effectively under house arrest. News since then has been uncertain, with a raid on his home reported two days after the election and Wine’s escape into hiding. The President Elect’s son has since announced to the media his threats to kill Wine, claiming he is a rebel and/or terrorist. 

 

A democratic future for Uganda? 

Moseveni is now 81, raising concerns about what will come next for the country. Moseveni’s son is a General of Uganda’s military and has been the centre of media coverage that portrays his unpredictable nature. The presidential succession is not openly discussed, after Muhoozi, Museveni’s would-be heir, had claimed he would run for the presidency in this 2026 election and had clearly been discouraged from doing so. 

While January’s electoral inconsistencies have sparked international attention, the truth may be far worse on the ground than even the numbers suggest. The silence about the elections from Northern Uganda speaks even louder of a growing fear and risk of escalation towards informal militia groups gaining power. After the assaults and violence surrounding the electoral process, there is a very real concern that the hired violence of a government scared to lose its control will lose control of those same violent operatives. 

This would be the worst outcome: fear of the wrong political opinions on election day, veering towards an everyday fear; when everyday activities become dangerous because violence has been given a place and become accepted as business as usual. 

Photo by Zach Wear

Call to Protect Democratic Elections:

Uganda’s recent election sets a bad precedent for the country’s progress in the coming years, with reports suggesting a downward trend, spiralling towards increasing violence. In the dangerous political landscape of a ruler trying to hold onto power too long – relying on military connections and failing all democratic processes to do so – Uganda may have some turbulent power transitions ahead. 

While neighbouring countries in the region, Kenya and Tanzania, also face political protests and unrest around recent elections, Activists Without Borders urges strict adherence to democratic principles for safe and fair elections.