UN warns Uganda's rule of law eroding as military expands role

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, warned that the rule of law in Uganda is steadily eroding. He cited a growing military presence in civilian institutions, a shrinking civic space and an intensified crackdown on dissent following the country’s January 2026 general elections.

According to the UN Human Rights Office, at least 50 opposition leaders and supporters, five human‑rights defenders and five journalists have faced enforced disappearances, torture, arbitrary arrests or other ill‑treatment. Ten leading civil‑society organisations have been suspended, and several media outlets have been forced to halt operations.

Türk urged the Ugandan authorities to respect their obligations under international human‑rights law, the African Charter and the Ugandan Constitution, stating, “I am appalled that the authorities are increasingly targeting any form of dissent… The actions of the authorities are creating a climate of fear that is increasing self‑censorship.”