Uganda held general elections in January 2026, resulting in the re-election of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for another term as President. The electoral period occurred in an environment marked by heightened security, political tension, and increasing restrictions on civic space. Security forces were heavily deployed in major urban centres and opposition strongholds, while arrests and intimidation targeting opposition supporters and activists were widespread. The electoral environment was further complicated by the shutdown of the internet nationwide and the suspension of several prominent human rights civil society organisations just days before the polls.
The pre-election period also saw an escalation in actions against accountability actors, including journalists, human rights defenders, and civic activists. Civil society organisations that traditionally play key roles in voter education, election observation, and human rights monitoring were either suspended or denied accreditation to carry out these activities. The freezing of their bank accounts significantly hampered their operations, as they could not access funds, pay staff, or continue activities during the country’s democratic process. These developments contributed to an environment where elections were widely viewed as being conducted under severe restrictions on civic participation and oversight.
The post-election period has remained politically tense. Several opposition leaders have been jailed, and others are reportedly in hiding due to safety concerns. This situation has fostered an atmosphere of fear, self-censorship, and uncertainty among accountability actors, including civil society organisations, many of which now operate cautiously out of fear of regulatory sanctions or closure. Policy and legislative developments such as the Protection of Sovereignty Bill have also gained prominence, raising concerns about increased state oversight of civil society, particularly organisations receiving external funding, and the potential for further constraints on civic space. Despite these challenges, civil society organisations continue to engage with government institutions, especially the NGO Bureau, in efforts to maintain operational space and keep dialogue open with the state.
