By Agora CFR Team
As Ugandans prepared to go to the polls on January 15, 2026, tension was palpable in most parts of the country. In an expected move, the government, through the Uganda Communications Commission, imposed a total internet blackout two days before the election day – lasting 5 days. They cited the need to curb misinformation and manage stability during the election period. Neither the Ugandan citizens nor the Election Observers believed that this was warranted. The move was heavily criticised by the African Union as an affront to individual rights of Ugandan citizens to participate in their public affairs.
On election day, the morning of January 15, 2026, voters were greeted with the news of a directive not to use the Biometric Voting Kit (BVK) machines following their failure in many parts of the country. This was a harbinger of what the election was to turn out like. 109,142 BVK machines which had cost the Ugandan taxpayer approximately UGX 268.38 billion were shelved. The devices, supplied by Sim Valley, had been equipped with fingerprint scanners and facial recognition software and were regarded as having the ability to deliver a free and fair election. The election day may not so much be remembered for the failure of the BVK machines but rather the beatings, killings, incarceration and election fraud that was widespread. Agora, which was collaborating with various journalists across the country was able to verify various cases of widespread violence, intimidation, and irregularities including attacks on opposition supporters, journalists, and voters.
On the night of the elections in Butambala district, seven people were reportedly killed at the home of their outgoing legislator Muwanga Kivumbi although eye-witnesses say this number was higher. Residents who preferred anonymity said army men surrounded the house as they demanded that Kivumbi step out. In the commotion, one solider opened fire, killing seven people who had run for safety inside his garage. Three days after the election, President Yoweri Museveni while addressing the nation said there were plans by the opposition National Unity Platform to attack polling stations in cases where their candidates lost. “They came with pangas (machetes) to attack the polling station and were shot. Seven of them were shot dead.” The President’s statement appears to contradict the events of the day as these people were shot at in a private home inside a garage. One woman who spoke to Agora on condition of anonymity said, “My husband was there to return declaration forms and he was shot dead. He was not a criminal.” In Kalungu district, bullets were fired from a vehicle in which State Minister for Water, Aisha Ssekindi was moving following a clash with her rival, Hellen Nakeeya. Four people were shot a day before elections, killing two people and injuring two others. The dead were identified as Ronald Kasamba and Andrew Muweesi.
In the heartland of the Luweero Triangle, an area significant for having been where President Museveni launched his 5-year guerilla war in 1980 following a rigged election, ugly scenes of electoral violence unfolded. Security officers fired tear gas and live bullets resulting in the death of three people. The victims were identified as Sarah Nagayi, 36, Ibrahim Sserubiri, 18 and Robert Sseninde. Scores were also injured as they scampered for safety. At Bulenga, five people were reportedly killed by security officers in the aftermath of the election. Extra judicial killings were also registered in the pre-election period where Edward Mukwaya and Joshua Leon were killed in Gulu. Mesach Okello was killed in Iganga, Furugensio Mutagubya, Saida Eteru, Timothy Lukenge and Hassan Karungi were killed in Bwaise. NUP candidate Ivan Kyeyune, also MP-elect for Nakasongola county, reported being assaulted by about 50 men armed with sticks on election day. Forum for Democratic Change Presidential candidate Nandala Mafabi was also assaulted, with a stone hitting him on the head, and his driver sustaining gunshot injuries. Security officials also made it a point to destroy and confiscate declaration of results forms and temporarily arrest winners from the opposition. The army also participated in declaration of winners for Parliamentary seats like in Kampala Central, Nakaseke, and Sembabule.
In Bukedea Anita Annet Among, the Speaker of Parliament ordered for the arrest of legislator Ikojo John Bosco’s aides and his home was attacked by men moving in a Police Patrol car. Eight Sub-county Electoral Commission officers from Bukedea district where the Speaker among hails from were verbally fired and ordered not to return to office. At 2pm on election day, Speaker Among moved with her security team in the areas of Kocheka, Kasechi, Aminit, Koena among others chasing away agents of other candidates to allow them tick votes for President Yoweri Museveni and the NRM Legislator Okuwere. At Kokutu polling station, locals had their names called out and told they had voted.
Journalists were not spared either. In Arua district, two journalists, Andrew Cohen Amvesi of West Nile online news and Odama Joseph of UBC TV were beaten and their smart phones taken when they went to interview the Arua Central Division NRM parliamentary candidate Atima Jackson Lee Buti. Odama’s video camera was also damaged. Security officials warned journalists against reporting on open ballot ticking and “bad” journalists were chased from the district. In Lyantonde Farouk Twesigye, a journalist with FATWES online TV was forced to delete footage containing harassment of voters. In Kampala, both local and foreign journalists faced the wrath of security officials. Yousra Elbagir of Sky News, Sudhir Byaruhanga of NTV and Juliette a reporter with France 24 reported they were threatened by security for going about their work. Mbadhi Ivan a reporter with BBS Terefayina was assaulted and his camera smashed by security operatives while on duty.
Agora estimates the number of arrested citizens countrywide was over 1000. In Nakaseke, 50 National Unity Platform supporters were arrested after staging a protest, 34 in Luwero, 39 in Bukomansimbi, 59 in Kalungu, 21 in Sembabule and 69 in Kyotera district. The Uganda Police confirmed they had arrested over 400 people on election day alone. On January 22, 2026, the Police revealed that the number of suspects had risen to 1,049 with Kawempe registering 57 arrests and 151 suspects arrested in Mukono over electoral related cases. As arrests were going on across the country, the home of presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi was also under siege. Despite government officials saying he had committed no crime, his wife was assaulted by members of the army after they broke into his house.
Despite all these incidents, which raise doubts about the credibility of the election, President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for the last 40 years, was declared the winner with 71.65% and awaits to be sworn in for a seventh term in May.
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