Ugandan opposition denounces brutal crackdown ahead of 2026 elections
With less than a year until Uganda's presidential election, the political climate is increasingly tense. The main opposition party NUP has condemned the brutal crackdown on activists, saying 2,000 kidnappings have taken place since the last elections in 2021. But the government accuses the opposition of staging the abductions for political gain.
Uganda is set to hold a general election in January, with President Yoweri Museveni looking to extend his 40-year rule.
The last election in 2021 was marred by widespread reports of irregularities and severe violence from the security forces, which Museveni blamed on "indiscipline" and "laziness".
The US-based Holocaust Memorial Museum recently warned of possible "mass atrocities" around the 2026 election.
Last Friday, Bobi Wine, leader of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) said the army had raided his party's headquarters in the capital Kampala.
The opposition was planning to use the HQ to launch a campaign to urge Ugandans to vote against the government in the general election and demonstrate to protect their democratic rights.
Wine said his bodgyguard Edward Sebuufu (also referred to as Mutwe) had been "violently abducted" by armed men wearing uniforms associated with the Special Forces Command, an elite unit of Uganda's army.
The NUP's secretary-general David Lewis Rubongoya told RFI that the police at first denied any responsibility for Sebuufu's abduction.
However, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda's military chief and the son of the President confirmed later on Friday that Sebuufu was indeed in his custody.
Read more on RFI EnglishRead also:Uganda plans law to bring back military trials for civiliansKenya investigates alleged kidnapping of Ugandan opposition leader BesigyeUganda's Museveni sworn in for 6th time amidst opposition 'sham' claims
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