Kampala: Uganda’s political atmosphere grew more tense on Wednesday as the country’s main opposition party claimed that more than 300 of its supporters have been detained in the weeks leading up to the 2025 presidential campaign. The National Unity Platform (NUP), led by long-time government critic Bobi Wine, accused state security agencies of deliberately targeting activists, mobilisers, and local organizers in what it describes as a coordinated attempt to weaken the opposition’s election momentum.
According to NUP officials, the arrests have occurred across multiple districts, including Kampala, Wakiso, Masaka, and parts of eastern Uganda, with many supporters allegedly taken from their homes during late-night security operations. Party leaders say that the detentions mirror patterns seen in previous election cycles, where intimidation, surveillance, and arbitrary arrests were used to restrict political mobilization.
Ugandan authorities, however, rejected the accusations. Police spokespersons maintained that all recent arrests were linked to “legitimate security investigations,” stating that those detained were involved in activities that threatened public order. Officials insisted that the electoral process remains secure and that law enforcement is acting within the boundaries of national legislation.
Despite these assurances, human rights organizations continue to express concern. Several advocacy groups reported that some detainees have been held without formal charges and without access to lawyers or family members practices frequently criticized by international observers. They warned that such actions, if unchecked, could erode confidence in Uganda’s already fragile democratic institutions.
As the presidential campaign period draws closer, the political rift appears to be widening. NUP leaders have vowed to continue documenting all alleged rights violations and plan to present the information to the Electoral Commission and foreign diplomatic missions. They argue that a credible election cannot occur in an environment where opposition voices live in fear of arrest.
With President Yoweri Museveni expected to seek another term, the opposition fears that the current crackdown signals a familiar pattern of pre-election pressure. As Uganda enters a critical phase of its political calendar, both domestic and international observers are watching closely, concerned about what these developments may mean for the fairness and transparency of the 2025 vote.