By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
3 December 2025 - Uganda’s Electoral Commission on Wednesday held a crucial meeting with representatives of presidential candidates as anxiety deepened over the conduct of security forces ahead of next month’s general election.
Commission chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama opened the session by acknowledging the increasingly volatile campaign atmosphere, expressing regret over confrontations between security agencies and supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP). He said the clashes, some fatal, had soured what began as peaceful campaigns and left the public uneasy about the country’s political direction.
The meeting aimed to provide reassurance, but it unfolded against the backdrop of a sharp warning from the United Nations over Uganda’s handling of political dissent. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk in a statement deplored what he described as an “intensifying crackdown” on the opposition, media and activists.
The UN’s data pointed to at least 550 arrests this year, including over 300 since the campaign period began in September. Most of those detained were NUP supporters, accused variously of public nuisance, disobedience, obstruction and incitement.
Türk said security forces had repeatedly used disproportionate force at opposition events, including tear gas, water cannon, chemical irritants, whips and batons. Last week in Iganga, officers reportedly fired live ammunition into a crowd, killing one person and injuring three.
“It is deeply regrettable that election campaigns have once again been marked by widespread arbitrary arrests, detentions and the use of unnecessary or disproportionate force,” he said. “Ugandans must be able to fully and peacefully participate in their country’s public affairs on election day, and afterwards.”
Secret Detentions and Torture
Beyond publicly recorded arrests, the UN raised alarm over reports of clandestine detentions using unmarked minibuses known locally as “drones.” Victims are said to be transported to informal “safe houses,” where they are held without contact with family or lawyers—a practice prohibited under international law.
One case earlier this year captured regional attention when the military chief posted on X that he was holding the bodyguard of NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi “in his basement.” The bodyguard was later produced in court visibly traumatised, yet no investigation has followed.
In the past weeks two Kenyan activists detained after attending an opposition rally were held for more than a month in what President Museveni reportedly referred to as “the fridge” before being quietly returned to Kenya. Türk urged the government to investigate allegations of torture, enforced disappearance and unlawful detention, and to release individuals arbitrarily held.
Journalists Targeted as Press Freedom Shrinks
Uganda’s media environment has also come under strain. In October, the accreditations of NTV Uganda and Daily Monitor reporters were withdrawn after publishing critical reports about Parliament. Earlier in the year, over 30 journalists were assaulted or had their equipment confiscated during the Kawempe North by-election.
The UN said such actions violated Uganda’s commitments under international law, calling for the protection—not persecution—of journalists covering political events.
Echoes Across Borders
While Uganda faces scrutiny, neighbouring Tanzania offered a contrasting signal on Wednesday when a Dar es Salaam court released cosmetics entrepreneur Jenifer “Niffer” Jovin and Mika Lucas Chavala, both previously charged with treason.
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The Director of Public Prosecutions withdrew the case, telling the court he no longer intended to proceed. Senior Resident Magistrate Aaron Lyamuya dismissed the charges under Section 92(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act.
Their release sparked relief among regional rights advocates and stood out sharply against Uganda’s uptick in arrests and detentions linked to political activity.
Kenya’s Opposition on a Similar Trail
Uganda’s situation is not new to East Africa, including in Kenya, where former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has raised concerns about what he calls the creeping normalisation of electoral interference.
Following Kenya’s recent Malava and Mbeere North by-elections, Gachagua accused President William Ruto’s administration of deploying goons and plain-clothed police to disrupt voting and intimidate agents.
“Use of goons and police in civilian clothes to overturn the will of the people sets the stage for serious acrimony ahead of the 2027 General Elections,” he warned. He further claimed that Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku allegedly took control of a polling centre in Mbeere North, clashing with voters and ejecting agents before counting began. Although UDA candidates won both seats, Gachagua insisted the contests were tainted by interference.
Political observers note that his warnings mirror broader concerns about how state power is wielded during elections across the region.
Region at a Crossroads
Uganda’s election season has reignited long-standing questions about the balance between national security and civil liberties. While authorities defend their actions as necessary to maintain order, critics argue that the severity of recent operations goes far beyond routine policing.
Families of detainees continue to search for missing relatives, activists report being surveilled or harassed, and journalists say critical reporting increasingly invites retaliation.
Justice Byabakama and the Electoral Commission are under mounting pressure to restore confidence. Political party representatives at Wednesday’s meeting urged the Commission to take a firmer stance, ensure equal access to campaign venues, and demand restraint from security agencies.
With the election only weeks away, analysts warn that Uganda faces a defining moment. The UN’s rare and forceful intervention, Tanzania’s decision to ease off treason prosecutions, and Kenya’s internal debate over the use of goons and police all highlight a region grappling with complex questions of democracy, accountability and state power.
