Amnesty International has accused Uganda’s security forces of torture, arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances in the run-up to the country’s January 15 general elections, raising concerns over the conduct of the vote and the wider political environment.
In a statement on January 5, Amnesty said it had documented widespread abuses targeting opposition supporters, activists and critics of the government, alleging that dozens of people had been detained without charge and subjected to ill-treatment while in custody.
The organisation said the actions appeared aimed at suppressing dissent ahead of the polls, with actions accompanied by undue movement restrictions aimed at disrupting the opposition party National Unity Platform’s (NUP) campaign rallies.
“The authorities have launched a brutal campaign of repression against the opposition and its supporters, making it extremely difficult for them to exercise their rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa.
“The Ugandan authorities must uphold their human rights obligations and allow the opposition to hold its campaign rallies without undue restrictions and without subjecting their leaders and supporters to arrests, torture or other ill-treatment.”
Ugandan authorities have repeatedly denied allegations of systematic abuses, saying security operations are necessary to maintain public order and prevent violence during the election period. Government officials have accused opposition groups of provoking unrest and violating electoral laws.
The accusations come amid heightened political tensions as President Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986, seeks a seventh term in office. Previous election cycles in Uganda have been marked by clashes between security forces and opposition supporters, as well as criticism from rights groups and international observers.
The 81-year-old Museveni has extended his time in office by eliminating previously established term limits, first in 2005 and again in 2017. His son, 51-year-old Muhoozi Kainerugaba, is now the Chief of Defence Forces, after a series of quick promotions, and is widely seen as being groomed to succeed his father.
Amnesty called on Ugandan authorities to immediately end unlawful arrests, investigate alleged cases of torture and ensure that security forces comply with national and international human rights obligations. It also urged the government to guarantee freedoms of assembly, expression and association during the election period.
The organisation said the credibility of the January elections would depend in part on whether voters and political actors can participate without fear of intimidation or violence, adding to scrutiny of Uganda’s electoral process in the weeks ahead.
The violence has been so pervasive that top opposition candidate Bobi Wine of the NUP has compared the campaign to a war zone. The past year has also seen heightened intimidation of journalists covering the contest, including attacks, detention, and torture.
According to Amnesty, citing multiple sources, including the NUP and an independent civil society organisation, more than 400 people have been arrested for attending rallies in different parts of Uganda, or for being perceived to be supporters of the opposition party.
The rights group cited court charge sheets showing that the majority of those arrested were charged with causing malicious damage to property, obstruction, incitement to violence, and assaulting police officers. Evidence suggests that, in at least some cases, people were detained solely for their perceived support for the NUP, Amnesty said. bne IntelliNews
