EU deplores Uganda election violence, Bobi Wine’s harassment

The European Union, EU, has decried the violence and threats surrounding the Uganda general elections, including the targeting of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) and his supporters.

A statement on Friday expressed worry about the “uneven playing field in the run-up to the elections, arbitrary arrests of civil society actors, and the internet shutdown.”

The European alliance cited the concerns highlighted in the statement of the AU–COMESA–IGAD Election Observation Mission, led by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.

Urging the authorities to ensure political actors’ safety, the EU said it values its long-standing partnership with Uganda and will continue engagement with the government, civil society, and the private sector.

President Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner of the January 15 election. The Electoral Commission said he won 72% of the vote, against 24% for Bobi Wine, who alleged “ballot stuffing” and “fake results.”

81-year-old Museveni first assumed power as a rebel leader in 1986 and has won seven elections since. The latest victory extends his 40-year rule by another five years.

In its report, the AU Observation Mission commended Uganda’s efforts for holding regular elections, noting that the 2026 elections were delivered in a “calm environment” compared to the 2021 elections.

The team, however, noted the intimidation and arrest of opposition leaders, candidates, supporters, media and civic society actors, as well as the suspension of NGOs and internet shutdown.

The mission offered recommendations to the government, parliament, electoral commission, security agencies, and parties to support Uganda’s alignment with its laws, regional and international standards.

In a January 20 post on X, Bobi Wine cried out over the harassment of his family and supporters at his home as military personnel hung around the premises since election day.

The opposition leader, who turns 44 in February, said the soldiers banged his house doors “as they sang profanities, ordering the occupants to come out of the house if they’re men.”

Bobi Wine also alleged Museveni’s son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, was “making threats to kill me and gloating over killing 22 of our supporters (in reality, he has killed over 100 since last week).”

Muhoozi Kainerugaba, a Ugandan military officer, is the eldest child of President Museveni, who serves as the Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF).