KAMPALA — Ugandan authorities have formally charged upwards of 100 supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) with a range of offenses tied to violent incidents following the country’s contentious 2026 general election. The arrests and subsequent charges come in the wake of public demonstrations and clashes with security forces, highlighting deep political fractures after a disputed vote.
Mass Charges After Election Unrest
In court filings and statements by party legal representatives, at least 118 opposition supporters were brought before magistrates in the capital city of Kampala on allegations that include unlawful assembly, conspiracy, and illegal possession of election materials. Many of those detained were reportedly NUP polling agents or grassroots organizers, according to party officials who deny involvement in orchestrated violence.
Opposition leaders maintain that the charges are politically motivated and part of a broader attempt to suppress dissent following disputed election results. Protesters took to the streets after the state electoral commission declared a landslide victory for the long-time incumbent president, accusations of ballot tampering and intimidation intensified.
Wider Political Tension and Allegations
The election period in Uganda was already marked by heightened tensions and allegations of rights abuses. Communications blackouts, delayed and malfunctioning voting technologies in several areas, and reports of opposition figures being blocked from campaigning added to skepticism about the integrity of the process. International observers and rights groups raised concerns about repression and intimidation in the run-up to and aftermath of polling day.
Supporters of the NUP, led by prominent opposition figure and former musician Bobi Wine, have repeatedly rejected official results and criticized the government’s response to post-election mobilization. Clashes between demonstrators and police in Kampala and other urban centers were met with swift crackdowns, leading to numerous arrests now being processed in court.
What This Means for Uganda’s Political Climate
Analysts say the wave of prosecutions and sustained unrest illustrates the fragile atmosphere surrounding Uganda’s governance and democratic institutions. With longstanding leaders maintaining a firm grip on power and opposition movements pushing back against perceived injustices, the nation’s political future remains fraught with uncertainty. Observers warn that continued unrest and heavy-handed legal action could further polarize citizens and strain the rule of law.
