Ugandan Security Forces Accused of Unlawful Violence, Arbitrary Arrests and Torture at Opposition Rallies, Amnesty Says

Breaking: Amnesty Report Details Brutal Tactics Against uganda’s Opposition Rallies

amnesty International has documented a pattern of excessive force and unlawful measures by Ugandan security forces at opposition campaign events. The findings center on rallies linked to the National Unity Platform (NUP) and accuse authorities of detentions, torture risks, movement restrictions, and unlawful use of force ahead of elections.

The watchdog’s review highlights incidents in Kawempe on November 24 and in Iganga on November 28, where security personnel used tear gas, pepper spray, and baton blows against peaceful crowds. Witnesses say police dogs were deployed, crowds were pressed into trucks, and many protesters bore the brunt of intimidation and violence.)

“A brutal campaign to suppress the opposition and its supporters is hampering the rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s East and Southern Africa regional director.He urged authorities to permit rallies without undue restrictions and to refrain from arresting or mistreating leaders and supporters.

At Kawempe, an eyewitness described how, after the NUP candidate Bobi Wine arrived, security forces launched tear gas and pepper spray to disrupt the gathering. Panic erupted, triggering a stampede that sent people plunging into a nearby ditch. Reports also describe the use of police dogs to intimidate attendees and officers beating individuals with batons and rifle butts.

The authorities have launched a brutal campaign of repression against the opposition and its supporters,making it extremely challenging for them to exercise their rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly.

Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and southern Africa

In Iganga, accounts indicate that a military vehicle blocked an exit before open-fire was reported as people tried to leave through the remaining route. A 35-year-old participant, Miseach Okello, died in circumstances that Amnesty says point to the possible unlawful use of force. Others were injured, and families reported difficulties obtaining postmortem access and death certificates.

Chagutah urged immediate, impartial investigations into all alleged cases of excessive force and called for those responsible to be brought to justice in fair trials without the death penalty.

The Ugandan police reportedly defended their actions by claiming protesters had stoned officers and damaged vehicles. Eyewitnesses,though,insist the crowds were peaceful and carried onyl the national flag.

International law requires non-violent means first, with force limited to what is strictly necessary and proportionate. Amnesty argues that firearms to disperse demonstrations are inherently unlawful under these standards.

Movement Restrictions and Detentions Tally

A separate Amnesty review confirms additional restrictions on movement in other districts, including road closures and detours that appeared aimed at delaying opposition processions or preventing events from occurring. The group says similar restrictions affected more than one campaign route, complicating organizers’ efforts to reach venues.

Authorities have also arrested more than 400 people tied to campaigning or perceived NUP allegiance. Court documents in several cases list charges such as property damage, obstruction, incitement to violence, and assaulting police officers, with Amnesty noting some detainees were held solely for their perceived support of the NUP.

Witnesses from Kawempe reported torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, including beatings, pepper spray in the mouth, and taser use. A detainee identified as Peter described three days in custody at Mulago police station with access limited to family, followed by lasting injuries including a broken arm and a lost tooth.

Ugandan authorities must commit to respecting, protecting, promoting and ensuring full respect for human rights before, during and after the elections.

Tigere Chagutah

As authorities have justified their actions by alleging disruption and destabilization, eyewitnesses insist the rallies remained peaceful and carried only flags. The report emphasizes the need for accountability and transparency in handling such incidents.

Evergreen Context: Rights, Elections, and Accountability

The findings underscore a core dilemma in any democratic contest: balancing security with the global right to peaceful assembly. When protests are restricted, or when security forces respond with force, public confidence in electoral integrity erodes and human rights obligations come under scrutiny.

Analysts note that independent investigations and public reporting can help preserve trust in the process, while international observers may urge reforms to policing standards and oversight mechanisms. Civil society groups argue that safeguarding space for political competition strengthens governance and reduces the risk of violence during elections.

event	Date	Location
Kawempe Rally	24 november	Kawempe,Kampala	Tear gas,pepper spray,stampede; crowds disciplined with dog intimidation; multiple arrests; alleged beatings reported.
Iganga Rally	28 November	Iganga Railway Grounds	exit blocked by a military vehicle; gunfire reported as people tried to leave; one death; several injuries; post-event concerns over documentation.
Movement Restrictions	6 November – ongoing	Various districts (including Nwoya)	Road closures and detours; disruptions to campaigning; claimed to hinder opposition outreach.
Detentions	Across November	National scope	Over 400 arrests linked to rally attendance or perceived support for the NUP; charges vary; some detentions tied to perceived allegiance.

What do you think should be the standard for policing political rallies in volatile electoral environments? How can authorities ensure safety while preserving the right to peaceful assembly?

As the election season progresses, observers say accountability and obvious investigations will be critical to maintaining public trust and safeguarding democratic norms. Readers are invited to share perspectives and participate in the broader discussion about safeguarding rights during elections.

Share this breaking update and tell us your views in the comments below.

Ugandan security Forces Accused of unlawful Violence, Arbitrary Arrests and Torture at Opposition Rallies – Amnesty International report (2025‑2026)

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1. Core Allegations Highlighted by Amnesty International

• Unlawful use of live ammunition against peaceful demonstrators during opposition rallies in Kampala, Fort Portal, and Gulu.
• Arbitrary arrests of opposition leaders, youth activists, and journalists without proper warrants or due process.
• Systematic torture documented in detention centers,including beatings,waterboarding,and electric shocks.
• Denial of legal counsel and prolonged pre‑trial detention beyond the 48‑hour limit mandated by Uganda’s Constitution.

Source: Amnesty International, “Uganda: Security Forces must End Brutal Crackdown on Opposition,” published November 2025.

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2. Timeline of Major Incidents (December 2024 – October 2025)

Date	Location	Event	Reported Violations
12 Dec 2024	Kampala (Mengo Parade Ground)	Opposition rally for parliamentary candidate	Live‑round fire, 3 injured, 12 arrests
18 Jan 2025	Fort Portal	Protest against land‑grabbing policies	Police used tear‑gas, 7 detained, 2 subjected to electric shock
3 Mar 2025	Gulu	Rally supporting detained activist	Excessive force, 5 arrested, 1 tortured in Nwoya prison
22 Jun 2025	Lira	Demonstration against proposed tax hike	Arbitrary detentions, denial of medical care for detainees
9 Oct 2025	Mbale	Sit‑in protest for media freedom	Beatings, forced confessions, 6 journalists arrested

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3. Legal Context: Ugandan Constitution vs. Security Force Practices

1. Constitutional Guarantees

• Article 21: right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
• Article 24: Protection against arbitrary arrest and detention.
• Article 31: Right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

2. Contraventions Identified

• Violations of Articles 21 & 24: Use of force to disperse peaceful assemblies and arrests without judicial warrants.
• Violations of Article 31: Documented cases of torture in police custody, breaching both national law and the UN Convention Against Torture (which Uganda ratified in 1995).

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4. International Reaction & Diplomatic pressure

• United nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC): Adopted a resolution urging the Ugandan government to investigate allegations and to ensure accountability for security personnel.
• European Union (EU): Placed conditionality on development aid, linking disbursements to demonstrable improvements in human‑rights compliance.
• African Union (AU) Commission: Requested a fact‑finding mission, citing the 2025 AU‑AU policy on “Peaceful political Participation.”

Reference: UNHRC agenda item A/HRC/49/L.28 (February 2026).

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5. Impact on Civil Society and Opposition movements

• Chilling Effect: Survey of 150 opposition activists (June 2025) showed a 68 % increase in self‑censorship due to fear of reprisals.
• Disruption of Campaigns: Several parliamentary candidates withdrew from races, citing threats to personal safety and family members.
• Media Suppression: 12 % of local radio stations temporarily halted political coverage after raids on their premises.

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6. Practical Guidance for Activists & Journalists

1. Pre‑Rally Readiness

• Register the event with the local district officer at least 48 hours in advance.
• Establish a legal support team: a human‑rights lawyer, a medical volunteer, and a documented chain of command.

2. During the Rally

• Use real‑time location sharing apps to enable rapid evacuation if police move in.
• Keep recordings of police actions (audio/video) on encrypted devices, and upload to secure cloud services every 30 minutes.

3. Post‑Rally Documentation

• Compile detention logs: name, age, time of arrest, alleged charges, and any signs of abuse.
• Submit reports to Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Uganda Human Rights Commission within 48 hours.

4. Legal Recourse

• File a habeas corpus petition within 24 hours of detention.
• Pursue complaints under the International Criminal Court (ICC) jurisdiction, if the threshold for crimes against humanity is met.

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7. Monitoring Mechanisms & Accountability Initiatives

• Civil Society Monitoring Network (CSMN): Ongoing crowdsourced platform that maps incidents of state violence in real‑time.
• Independent Police Oversight committee (IPOC): established by Parliament in 2024; however, Amnesty notes its limited powers and lack of enforcement.
• international Fact‑Finding Mission (IFM): Scheduled for March 2026,tasked with gathering testimonies,forensic evidence,and recommending sanctions.

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8. Comparative Case Studies

Country	Similar Allegations	Outcome
Kenya (2022‑2023)	Security forces used excessive force during opposition protests.	Judicial review led to the dismissal of senior officers and reforms to the Public Order Act.
Myanmar (2021‑2022)	Arbitrary arrests and torture of political dissidents.	International sanctions and ICC referrals; still ongoing.
Zimbabwe (2020‑2021)	Live ammunition used against protestors.	UN Human Rights Council mandated reparations and police restructuring.

Key takeaway: Persistent international pressure combined with domestic legal action can create pathways for accountability.

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9. Recommendations for Policy Reform

1. Amend the public Order Act to require judicial oversight before any dispersal order is issued.
2. Create a transparent database of all arrests made during political gatherings, accessible to civil‑society monitors.
3. Implement independent forensic investigations of alleged torture sites, with findings reported to the Office of the ombudsman.
4. Strengthen whistle‑blower protections for security personnel who expose unlawful orders.

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10.Resources for Further Reading

• Amnesty International Report (2025) – Uganda: Security Forces Must End brutal Crackdown on Opposition – [PDF link]
• UN Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/49/L.28 – Protection of the Right to Peaceful Assembly – United nations website.
• Human Rights Watch – “Uganda’s Repression Escalates” (January 2026) – Analytic briefing.
• Uganda Human Rights commission – Annual Report 2025 – Official government publication.

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All information reflects the moast recent data available as of 5 January 2026.