Uganda’s 2026 Elections Raise Human Rights Concerns, Says Nicholas Opiyo

Summary:

• Nicholas Opiyo, Executive Director of Chapter Four Uganda, has raised concerns about escalating human rights abuses, voter suppression, and opposition harassment ahead of the 2026 elections. Citing Uganda’s history of electoral violence and lack of accountability, he calls for constitutional reforms, protection of civil society, and transparent electoral processes to ensure democracy and peace.

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Nicholas Opiyo, Executive Director of Chapter Four Uganda, has voiced deep concerns about the state of human rights and electoral integrity as Uganda prepares for its 2026 elections. With a troubling history of arbitrary arrests, voter intimidation, and suppression of opposition, Opiyo warns that the upcoming elections could replicate or even exceed previous cycles marred by violence and impunity.

Uganda’s elections have been repeatedly characterized by state violence against opposition figures. High-profile candidates such as Dr. Kizza Besigye and Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine) have faced significant harassment, including arbitrary arrests and violent assaults.

In a notable incident in November 2024, security forces abducted Besigye and Haji Obeid Lutale from Kenya, charging them with illegal firearm possession in a military court. Opiyo cites such actions as emblematic of systemic repression against opposition politicians.

Opiyo laments the lack of accountability for human rights abuses in Uganda, highlighting unresolved incidents such as the 2016 Kasese killings and numerous cases of torture and enforced disappearances during elections.

“There are too many victims of human rights violations who have never seen justice,” he said, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability to break the cycle of impunity.

As Uganda heads into another election season, Opiyo observes heightened public anxiety. He points to the suppression of peaceful protests, attacks on civil society, and the intimidation of media and opposition figures as ongoing issues.

“Every election brings the same pattern of arbitrariness,” he noted, predicting that 2026 could be even more volatile than previous elections.

Opiyo also advocates for a comprehensive review of Uganda’s 1995 Constitution, describing it as a “bounced cheque” that has failed to uphold its promises of justice, peace, and democratic rule. He calls for strengthening the judiciary and ensuring the independence of institutions to restore constitutional integrity.

The crackdown on NGOs following the 2021 elections, including the suspension of 54 organizations and the freezing of bank accounts, has further stifled dissent and hindered progress. Opiyo highlights the need to reverse this hostile environment, urging the government to view NGOs as partners in development rather than adversaries.

Despite facing personal and organizational challenges, including the shutdown of Chapter Four Uganda and his own arrest, Opiyo has relied on legal avenues to fight back. His efforts led to the reinstatement of Chapter Four and the unfreezing of its accounts, demonstrating the power of transparency and accountability.

Opiyo underscores the importance of fostering peaceful elections, ensuring public participation, and safeguarding democratic principles. “Uganda must prioritize the will of its people and reject electoral violence,” he declared, calling for collective efforts to protect democracy and human rights.

By highlighting Uganda’s history of electoral repression and the challenges facing civil society, Opiyo seeks to spark a broader conversation about justice, accountability, and the future of democracy in the country.