UN Condemns Uganda Crackdown on Dissent and Opposition

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk condemned the Government of Uganda on July 30, 2026, for an escalating crackdown on dissent and the erosion of the rule of law. Following the January 15 general elections, in which Yoweri K Museveni began a seventh term, the UN reported a surge in repression targeting opposition figures, journalists, and human rights defenders.

Reports from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights detail the torture, arbitrary arrest, and enforced disappearance of at least 60 individuals, including 50 opposition figures, five journalists, and five advocates. The government has suspended 10 leading civil society organizations and closed several media outlets. These efforts were further institutionalized by the May 2026 Protection of Sovereignty Act, which restricts international funding for civil society and carries prison sentences of up to 10 years.

The crisis was highlighted by the July 29 hospitalization of opposition leader Kizza Besigye, who collapsed during a treason trial in Kampala after being held in custody since November 2024. Turk asserted that these actions are creating a climate of fear and increasing self-censorship. He urged the Ugandan government to abide by the Ugandan Constitution, the African Charter, and international human rights law to ensure a vibrant civil society and prevent military interference in civilian institutions.