KAMPALA — Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is facing renewed accusations of using state force to protect his long-held grip on power, following an election period marked by alleged malpractice, deadly violence, and the abduction of opposition figures.
Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, moved closer to another term after elections conducted under heavy security deployment and an internet shutdown. Opposition parties, civil society groups, and international observers say the vote was overshadowed by intimidation, voter suppression, and the use of security forces to silence dissent.
In the days surrounding the election, reports emerged of opposition supporters being killed during security operations in several parts of the country. One of the most serious allegations came from National Unity Platform (NUP) lawmaker Muwanga Kivumbi, who said more than 10 people were killed at his home in Butambala while waiting for election results. Authorities have disputed his account, but the incident has intensified public anger and fear.
Opposition leader Bobi Wine has also accused the state of targeting him and his party. NUP officials say Wine was placed under house arrest and later taken away by security forces, while several party coordinators and election agents were reportedly abducted or detained at unknown locations. Families of missing opposition members say they have received no official information about their whereabouts.
Human rights organizations have long documented patterns of election-related abuses in Uganda, including arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and excessive use of force by security agencies. The United Nations and other international bodies have previously warned that such actions undermine democratic processes and fuel instability.
The government has defended its actions, arguing that security measures are necessary to maintain law and order and prevent unrest. Officials accuse the opposition of inciting violence and reject claims of systematic abuse.
As Museveni moves to “protect the gains” of his rule, critics say the growing reliance on force signals a narrowing political space and a deepening crisis of legitimacy. With opposition members killed, abducted, or silenced, many Ugandans fear that the cost of political participation is rising — and that accountability for election-related abuses remains out of reach.
