UN report Repression and impunity impacting right to participation in leadup to elections UN Human Rights Spokesperson Marta Hurtado comments

“Next week’s elections in Uganda will take place in an environment marked by widespread repression and intimidation against the political opposition, human rights defenders, journalists and those with dissenting views, says a report we have published today,” she said.

A report published by the Office today says Ugandan authorities have used a series of laws enacted or amended since the last election in 2021, to entrench repression and impunity, particularly against the opposition, and restricted the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly ahead of the 15 January presidential and parliamentary elections.

“High Commissioner Volker Türk calls on the Ugandan authorities to uphold the rights of all Ugandans to take part in the public affairs of their country – fully and safely, as is their right under international law. They must, among others, ensure that no unnecessary or disproportionate force, including lethal force, is used to disperse peaceful protests, on election day and beyond,” said Hurtado.

The report details how the Ugandan authorities have used legislation, including the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act of 2022, the Non-Governmental Organizations (Amendment) Act of 2024 and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (Amendment) Act of 2025, to silence those with dissenting views.

“Ugandan authorities have arrested and detained opposition leaders and activists, raided the premises of political opposition parties and confiscated their property. They have also suspended radio stations, arrested bloggers, and tightened control over NGOs,” she said.

The undue restrictions on opposition parties, have particularly targeted the main opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) party, including through roadblocks, raids, seizure or blocking of access to its offices and forced dispersal of its gatherings.

“Leading opposition figure Kizza Besigye remains in detention on questionable treason charges since he was abducted in neighbouring Kenya in November 2024. He and his associate Obeid Lutale have been repeatedly denied bail on unclear grounds. The recent arrest of renowned human rights defender Sarah Bireete, and the Government’s directive imposing a blanket ban on live broadcasting of what it describes as riots and unlawful processions, are the latest in a series of concerning developments,” said the spokesperson.

Adding, “The security forces, including police, the military and the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force, have unlawfully used firearms and live ammunition to disperse peaceful assemblies, and to carry out arbitrary arrests and prolonged pre-trial detentions, particularly targeting the opposition, often using unmarked vans – commonly known as “drones” – to abduct opposition party members and supporters and hold them in incommunicado detention at unauthorized sites known as “safe houses.”

“All those responsible for election-related human rights violations, including unresolved violations from the 2021 elections, must be held to account through fair proceedings, following effective, thorough, and impartial investigations,” she said.

For more information and media requests, please contact

In Geneva:

Ravina Shamdasani: +41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org

Jeremy Laurence: +41 22 917 9383 / jeremy.laurence@un.org

Marta Hurtado: +41 22 917 9466 / marta.hurtadogomez@un.org

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