Uganda: Security forces deployed ahead of election

Security forces have been deployed across major Ugandan cities, including the capital, Kampala, ahead of the presidential election on January 15th, according to a report by RFI and agencies on January 12th.

A Ugandan army spokesperson said the deployment of armoured vehicles and infantry units was in response to “threats of violence” and is intended to prevent “violence” during the electoral process.

The primary candidates in the election are President Yoweri Museveni of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, better known as Bobi Wine, of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP).

Museveni has held office since 1986, but was not officially elected until 1996. The 81-year-old benefits from a 2017 decision by lawmakers that abolished constitutional age limits, allowing him to run for re-election as many times as he wants.

Since 2001, elections in Uganda have been marred by allegations of rigging and military interference; Museveni’s grip on power has led to democratic institutions becoming largely subservient to Museveni.

The crackdown on opposition activists by Ugandan security forces has been condemned by both the UN and Amnesty International, with the former reporting that at least 550 people have been arrested and detained by authorities since early 2025.

On January 5th, it was alleged that Ugandan authorities were planning an internet blackout ahead of the elections, a claim the authorities have denied.

Concerns have also been raised about state-sanctioned violence against opposition candidates, including Bobi Wine, who alleges his campaign team was attacked by security forces while campaigning in Gulu in December.

It was reported on December 15th that a Catholic priest, Father Deusdedit Ssekabira, was detained by the Ugandan military over his alleged involvement in “violent subversive activities.”

Ssekabira was missing for nearly two weeks before the military confirmed his detention, with the Catholic Diocese of Masaka expressing concern over the priest’s disappearance.

Another opposition figure, Kizza Besigye, is facing trial for treason; the 68-year-old was arrested in November 2024 on charges of carrying two pistols and seeking foreign military support to destabilise national security.

In January 2025, a military court ruled that Besigye would face the death penalty if convicted of the charges, despite Besigye contesting the charges and arguing that he should be tried by civil jurisdiction.

Uganda’s High Court denied Besigye’s request for bail on December 30th, 2025, with Besigye arguing that his prosecution for allegedly planning to overthrow Museveni amounted to “persecution.”

RFI and agencies, Maghrebi.org