Background
Since 1986 Uganda has been ruled by dictator Yoweri Museveni, who, alongside his National Resistance Movement (NRM), came to power in the aftermath of the Ugandan Bush War. After thirty-nine years in power he sought another 're-election' to his seventh term as President in elections held on 15 January 2026 facing a concerted opposition movement led by Bobi Wine and the National Unity Platform (NUP) to finally democratically end his dictatorship. [6] Museveni had been grooming his son, army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to succeed him but ultimately chose to stand in the election himself due to opposition within the NRM over making the office of president hereditary. [7]
During the election Wine had tapped into the youth's discontent, himself being just 43 while Museveni is 81. [2] Uganda has the second-youngest population in the world, with over 70% of Uganda’s 46 million people under the age of 30 while under-30s also face a 43% unemployment rate. [2] This was the first election in Uganda where Generation Z could vote. [3]
Museveni and the NRM took authoritarian steps to stifle the NUP, harassing its candidates and even sending the Ugandan army to a rally held by Wine, killing at least one and arresting hundreds of his supporters. [6] [7] Israeli firm Cellebrite provided Museveni's government with phone hacking tools to listen in on the opposition, while the government also formed ad-hoc militias to shadow NUP politicians with these militias frequently roaming working-class neighborhoods to attack or otherwise threaten NUP supporters. [2] The election had become so militarized that Wine resorted to campaigning in a bulletproof vest and helmet. [2]
Wine's campaign also included several major pro-youth platforms while Museveni derided the youth, stating in a televised address: "You Gen Z, what have you done so far? When I was 26, we started the FRONASA movement to liberate this country. But for you Gen Z, all I hear is 'vibe, vibe.' What is your vibe doing for the country?" [2] International election observers were barred from entering the country while Wine warned that if Museveni attempted to rig the election that there would be mass protests. [7] [8]
The government issued an internet blackout across the country on election day while Wine posted on online social media that Museveni and the NRM were engaging in a massive ballot stuffing campaign as Uganda's central election authority, whose members are hand-picked by Museveni, announced that Museveni had won the election with 74% of the vote late in the evening. [6] [9] [10]
Protests
January 16
At about 3:00 a.m., violence broke out in Butambala District about 35 miles outside Kampala where police spokeswoman Lydia Tumushabe called protestors "machete-wielding opposition goons." Tumushabe stated that the protestors attempted to storm the police station where votes were being 'verified', resulting in the police using live ammunition to disperse the crowd, killing several in "self defense." [6] Local NUP MP Muwanga Kivumbi, however, offered a conflicting report, stating that the police had raided his personal home near the police station, where he and local NUP members where holding an election watch party, killing 10 and arresting 25 in a "massacre." [5] [6] [11] Shortly after security forces broke into Wine's house, assaulted his private security, and abducted him in a Ugandan army helicopter with the NUP issuing a statement that the government was holding him under house arrest. [10] [12] [6] Later in the morning protesters took to the streets of Kampala as police fired tear gas at the crowds. [13]
Military check-points were erected around Kampala with thousands of heavily armed police and army personal being sent to the capital who have been targeting journalists as the government attempts to more stringently enforce its internet blackout with social networks, whatsapp, and email being blocked. [10] [14] The government also issued a statement that "police have deployed outside [Wine's] home and restricted his movements" for his own "protection" from the rioters. [14] [15] In Kololo, opposition legislators were beaten at polling places, with at least 300 NUP members being arrested. [14]
January 17
A massive crowd, complete with tents to stay overnight, sprung up around Wine's residence in the Magere district of Kampala. [16] Wine released a statement that the police had raided his home, but that he was able to escape in the confusion, as the police had cut power to his building, allowing him to climb over the perimeter fence in the dark of night and that he is currently safe in an undisclosed location. [17] However, his wife and children weren't as lucky, and are under house arrest at his residence while the police said Wine was lying and he was currently under house arrest, something they weren't able to provide any evidence for. [18] Wine also called on the Ugandan people to "reject whatever is being declared by Byabakama" that the "results are fake" and "do not in any way reflect what is on the declaration forms" and that "We want to call upon the people of Uganda to reject these fake results." [17] He called for a restoration of the internet in the country, and for the vote tally sheets to be released so the results could be verified by the public. [17] The Ugandan police meanwhile urged citizens to stay at home and that it is "only lawbreakers who need to think twice or worry." [19]
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