Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Henry Owen
Kampala, Uganda — In the wake of Uganda’s tightly contested January 15 presidential election, the East African nation is facing international alarm and domestic turmoil after senior military leadership publicly claimed that at least 30 opposition supporters have been killed and more than 2,000 detained in the post-election crackdown. The controversial figures were cited by the country’s army chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, a key ally and son of long-time President Yoweri Museveni, following the announcement that Museveni had secured a seventh term in office.
In a series of posts on the social media platform X late last week, Gen. Muhoozi — who also serves as Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces — described those detained and killed as “NUP terrorists” and “hooligans,” referring to supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP), led by opposition figure Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, better known as Bobi Wine. The military’s account, which has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organisations, marks a sharp escalation in rhetoric and repression following an election that was already branded by critics as undemocratic and marred by irregularities.
Opposition supporters, activists and international observers have fiercely rejected the narrative put forward by security authorities. Mr. Kyagulanyi, who secured roughly a quarter of the vote according to official results but disputes the legitimacy of the outcome, has alleged that security forces have unleashed violence against his supporters and allies. The opposition claims that many of those detained were arrested arbitrarily, with some reportedly held in unofficial or extra-judicial detention centres without due process — assertions that the government has not formally addressed.
The figures cited by Gen. Muhoozi — 30 killed and 2,000 arrested — originate from statements by the army chief rather than independent verification. Human rights groups and legal advocates have pointed to reports of brutal treatment during arrests and detentions, while also highlighting concerns over internet blackouts, restricted access to information, and limited transparency in official deaths and detention tallies.
The situation has drawn international concern. The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has publicly expressed alarm over the scaling repression, urging Ugandan authorities to exercise restraint and adhere to human rights obligations, including respect for the rule of law and protection for political dissent. Observers warn that actions against political opponents and supporters risk undermining fundamental freedoms and could further polarise an already unsettled political landscape.
The crackdown has also had severe personal consequences for key opposition figures. Reports indicate that security forces raided the residence of Mr. Kyagulanyi, with some accounts alleging that his family members were assaulted during the operation. While details about his own status remain murky, the singer-turned-politician has been forced into hiding amid threats and repeated warnings from military leadership that he could be treated as a “rebel” if he does not surrender to authorities.
Domestically, the heavy-handed suppression of dissent is symptomatic of a broader pattern of state control over political opposition under President Museveni’s decades-long rule. Having led Uganda since 1986, Museveni’s leadership has been marked by both economic development and persistent allegations of authoritarianism, including the use of security apparatuses to stifle critics and opposition movements. Observers note that the recent election cycle, characterised by internet shutdowns and restrictions on gatherings, has only amplified concerns about democratic backsliding.
Despite these concerns, the Ugandan government has largely remained defiant in its stance, characterising security operations as necessary to maintain order amid what it describes as unlawful agitation and attempted insurrection by political rivals. Officials have disputed opposition claims of violence and unlawful detention, framing them instead as isolated incidents tied to electoral law violations and public disorder.
The post-election crackdown has deepened existing political rifts within Uganda, raising urgent questions about the future of democratic freedoms, civil liberties and political pluralism in the country. As tensions escalate, advocates for democratic reform have called for independent investigations into the reported deaths and detentions, greater protection for political activists, and renewed international engagement to support peaceful, transparent governance.
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