Kampala — Ugandan opposition parties report that more than 300 of their supporters have been detained amid the ongoing presidential campaign, raising fresh concerns about the fairness of the electoral process.
The opposition claims that many of those arrested were participating in campaign rallies for the candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine. They say detentions occurred in multiple regions, including Kampala, Gulu, and Mbale, suggesting a coordinated crackdown.
The Ugandan government has denied systematically targeting opposition supporters, insisting that its security forces are simply enforcing the law and preventing public disorder. A spokesperson said that arrests were made against people “breaking public safety regulations,” but did not provide details on the number of detainees or their conditions.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch and other international observers have warned that such detentions, if confirmed, could undermine democratic processes by instilling fear among voters and silencing dissent.
As the campaign intensifies, both domestic and global eyes are now on the Ugandan electoral commission and security services — and whether they will ensure a level playing field for all candidates and their supporters.