Post-election situation in Uganda and threats against opposition leader Bobi Wine

The European Parliament adopted by 514 votes to 3, with 56 abstentions, a resolution on the post-election situation in Uganda and threats against opposition leader Bobi Wine.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, Renew and Greens/EFA groups.

As a reminder, the elections in Uganda on 15 January 2026 were marred by abuses, severe restrictions on civic space, widespread intimidation of opposition figures, fraud, violence, and a nationwide internet blackout. According to the official results, President Yoweri Museveni was declared elected for his seventh term in a process that failed to meet fundamental democratic standards.

The military has laid siege to the residence of the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader and presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) and reportedly assaulted his family and staff.

In the lead-up to the election, civil society organisations were arbitrarily suspended and human rights defenders and government critics were targeted, including Sarah Bireete, who was arrested. Moreover, the government conducted brutal repression of opposition members, journalists and protesters, with over 400 arbitrary arrests before election day and hundreds more afterwards, with reports of torture and ill-treatment in detention.

On 28 November 2025, NUP supporter Mesach Okello was fatally shot during a peaceful rally and NUP regional leaders reportedly disappeared after the elections and remain missing.

Parliament strongly condemned the conduct of the elections and the brutal crackdown on political opposition, civil society, journalists and protesters and condemned the harassment of and threats to Bobi Wine. It also denounced the killing of Mesach Okello.

The Ugandan authorities are called on to:

- end all violence, threats, harassment and arbitrary detention of opposition figures, activists and critics, including Bobi Wine and his wife;

- immediately and unconditionally release all those arbitrarily detained, stop resorting to military trials against civilians, drop all politically motivated charges, including against Sarah Bireete and ensure justice and accountability, and align judicial practices with constitutional safeguards and international fair trial standards;

- end arbitrary suspensions of civil society groups, refrain from any further internet restrictions, and to undertake comprehensive electoral and institutional reforms, including ensuring the independence of the electoral commission and the judiciary.

For its part, the EU should:

- critically engage with Ugandan authorities regarding violations, closely monitoring relevant trials;

- review cooperation with and assistance for Uganda to ensure respect for EU principles, implement targeted sanctions, and prioritise support for civil society, human rights and LGBTIQ+ defenders, and journalists.

Lastly, the resolution called for independent and impartial investigations into crimes against humanity committed by Ugandan political and military leaders and of other African countries.

Text adopted by Parliament, single reading