Religious Leaders Raise Alarm Over Arrest of Opposition Supporters, Rights Activists

The Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) has held discussions with Police over arrest of opposition supporters and human rights activists as Uganda moves closer to the 2026 general elections.

Several opposition supporters have been arrested since the commencement of election campaigns, with many of those detained affiliated with the National Unity Platform (NUP).

Beyond arrests, opposition supporters have severally been beaten by security forces during opposition campaigns held in different parts of the country.

On Friday, the NUP presidential candidate campaigned in Mbale City, where incidents of violence occurred.

One of the party’s supporters, who had been seeking to contest as a city councillor but was later disqualified from the race, was brutalized by security forces.

Following his beating, the supporter said he had been targeted for refusing to a bribe to step out of the race and denounce NUP presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine.

“I was singled out and targeted by security operatives because I turned down an invitation to go to the State House to meet President Yoweri Museveni. Some of my colleagues went. They wanted me to declare that I support Mr Museveni. When I declined, they disqualified me from the race for city councillor,” he said.

Following the meeting between the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda and police leadership led by the Inspector General of Police, Abas Byakagaba, the two parties addressed reporters, with religious leaders expressing concern over what the worrying trend.

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stephen Kazimba Mugalu, said the council invited police leadership to seek clarity on the arrests and reported abductions of opposition supporters.

“The reason why we invited our visitors (police) today is because we are hearing regular arrests and abductions of God’s people and we are concerned. It created a lot of anxiety, and we thought we needed some clarity. But also, some disruptions and harassment of political opposition campaigns. Some candidates feel they are not given fairness. We thought it important to have the Inspector General of Police to come and address,” he said.

Kazimba added that the council was particularly concerned about fairness in the electoral process and the treatment of political actors as the country heads into a critical election period.

Police respond

In response, Byakagaba acknowledged the concerns raised and assured the public of the police’s commitment to professionalism and impartiality.

“I have listened to the concerns of the inter religious council and by extension, the concerns of the people; the concerns of perceived impartiality, concerns of possible harassment by our people (police), concerns of arrests. The people we are arresting, we are taking them to court. I have a commitment and a promise that we are going to continue serving Ugandans and serve diligently without any partiality but my biggest emphasis is that we encourage Ugandans to follow the law and also my people (police) to do everything to make sure that it is within the law,” Byakagaba said.

The concerns raised by the religious leaders follow the arrest of human rights activist and election observer, Sarah Bireete, whose detention has drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures and civil society.

Bireete was arrested and charged with unlawful obtaining or disclosing of personal data, contrary to Section 35 of the Data Protection and Privacy Act.

However, her defence lawyers have described the charges as politically motivated, with others arguing that the intention is to keep her in detention until after the elections scheduled for January 15.