Uganda has detained 2,000 opposition supporters and reported 30 fatalities following a disputed election, according to the army chief
Uganda’s military chief announced on Friday that authorities had apprehended 2,000 opposition supporters, reported 30 fatalities, and were actively searching for additional individuals following a contentious presidential election in which his father, Yoweri Museveni, secured a seventh term.
At 81 years old, the elder Museveni has been at the helm of the East African nation for almost four decades. He was announced as the clear victor over Bobi Wine, the leader of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), in the vote that took place on January 15, amidst an internet blackout.
Wine, previously a musician known as Robert Kyagulanyi, dismissed the outcome, claiming extensive irregularities such as ballot stuffing, and subsequently went into hiding.
Army Chief Denounces Opposition as ‘Terrorists’
In a series of overnight social media posts, military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Museveni, provided initial details regarding the arrests and fatalities of NUP supporters, labeling them as hooligans and terrorists. “We have killed 30 NUP terrorists so far,” Kainerugaba stated on X, without clarifying the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Many leaders of the NUP terrorist group are currently in hiding. “We will capture them all,” he stated in a subsequent post.
The government has alleged that supporters of Wine engaged in violence during the election, while the opposition claims that its members were assaulted by security forces. Reuters has been unable to verify the claims.
A spokesperson for the police chose not to provide any additional comments regarding the situation. Attempts to contact military spokesperson Chris Magezi for a comment were unsuccessful.
On Thursday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced his concern regarding the arrests and violence affecting opposition figures and their supporters.
“The Secretary General emphasizes the need for all parties to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law, as well as Uganda’s commitments to international human rights,” stated his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric.
Wine has claimed that numerous supporters have been unlawfully detained in recent months due to their political affiliation, and he has accused authorities of engaging in intimidation tactics.
Opposition parties and rights activists in Uganda assert that certain individuals who have been arrested are being held in unofficial detention centers where instances of torture occur.
The crackdown escalated with the arrest of Muwanga Kivumbi, a legislator and Wine’s deputy in the NUP, on Thursday. Reports indicate that two other senior figures from the NUP have been missing for several days.
On Friday, Kivumbi was present in court in Butambala to face charges of terrorism. According to a post on X by the rights group Agora Discourse, he has been remanded in custody until February 3. The report did not specify how Kivumbi had pleaded, and the identity of his lawyer remained unclear.
Wine, 43, stated that he left his home following a raid by security forces shortly after the election.
Museveni is generally thought to be preparing Kainerugaba, who has shown interest in the presidency, as his successor.
