2026 Ugandan protests
2026 Ugandan protests
Part of Gen Z protests[1][2][3]
An image of the protests that took place on 16 January 2026 in Uganda uploaded by Capital FM Kenya
Date16 January 2026 – present
(2 days)
Location
Butambala, Kampala
Caused by
Goals
Parties

Uganda Ugandan opposition

Lead figures
Casualties and losses
~7-10 protestors killed
300+ protesters arrested
None

On 16 January 2026, protests and clashes began in Uganda in response to the 2026 Ugandan general election.[4] Seven protestors were killed in the initial clashes.[5]

Background

Since 1986 Uganda has been ruled by dictator Yoweri Museveni, who, alongside his National Resistance Movement (NRM), came to power in the aftermath of the Ugandan Bush War. After thirty-nine years in power he sought another 're-election' to his seventh term as President in elections held on 15 January 2026 facing a concerted opposition movement led by Bobi Wine and the National Unity Platform (NUP) to finally democratically end his dictatorship.[6] Museveni had been grooming his son, army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to succeed him but ultimately chose to stand in the election himself due to opposition within the NRM over making the office of president hereditary.[7]

During the election Wine had tapped into the youth's discontent, himself being just 43 while Museveni is 81.[2] Uganda has the second-youngest population in the world, with over 70% of Uganda's 46 million people under the age of 30 while under-30s also face a 43% unemployment rate.[2] This was the first election in Uganda where Generation Z could vote.[3]

Museveni and the NRM took authoritarian steps to stifle the NUP, harassing its candidates and even sending the Ugandan army to a rally held by Wine, killing at least one and arresting hundreds of his supporters.[6][7] Israeli firm Cellebrite provided Museveni's government with phone hacking tools to listen in on the opposition, while the government also formed ad-hoc militias to shadow NUP politicians with these militias frequently roaming working-class neighborhoods to attack or otherwise threaten NUP supporters.[2] The election had become so militarized that Wine resorted to campaigning in a bulletproof vest and helmet.[2]

Wine's campaign also included several major pro-youth platforms while Museveni derided the youth, stating in a televised address: "You Gen Z, what have you done so far? When I was 26, we started the FRONASA movement to liberate this country. But for you Gen Z, all I hear is 'vibe, vibe.' What is your vibe doing for the country?"[2] International election observers were barred from entering the country while Wine warned that if Museveni attempted to rig the election that there would be mass protests.[7][8]

The government issued an internet blackout across the country on election day while Wine posted on online social media that Museveni and the NRM were engaging in a massive ballot stuffing campaign as Uganda's central election authority, whose members are hand-picked by Museveni, announced that Museveni had won the election with 74% of the vote late in the evening.[6][9][10]

Protests

January 16

At about 3:00 a.m., violence broke out in Butambala District about 35 miles outside Kampala where police spokeswoman Lydia Tumushabe called protestors "machete-wielding opposition goons." Tumushabe stated that the protestors attempted to storm the police station where votes were being 'verified', resulting in the police using live ammunition to disperse the crowd, killing several in "self defense."[6] Local NUP MP Muwanga Kivumbi, however, offered a conflicting report, stating that the police had raided his personal home near the police station, where he and local NUP members where holding an election watch party, killing 10 and arresting 25 in a "massacre."[5][6][11] Shortly after security forces broke into Wine's house, assaulted his private security, and abducted him in a Ugandan army helicopter with the NUP issuing a statement that the government was holding him under house arrest.[10][12][6] Later in the morning protesters took to the streets of Kampala as police fired tear gas at the crowds.[13]

Military check-points were erected around Kampala with thousands of heavily armed police and army personal being sent to the capital who have been targeting journalists as the government attempts to more stringently enforce its internet blackout with social networks, whatsapp, and email being blocked.[10][14] The government also issued a statement that "police have deployed outside [Wine's] home and restricted his movements" for his own "protection" from the rioters.[14][15] In Kololo, opposition legislators were beaten at polling places, with at least 300 NUP members being arrested.[14]

January 17

A massive crowd, complete with tents to stay overnight, sprung up around Wine's residence in the Magere district of Kampala.[16] Wine released a statement that the police had raided his home, but that he was able to escape in the confusion, as the police had cut power to his building, allowing him to climb over the perimeter fence in the dark of night and that he is currently safe in an undisclosed location.[17] However, his wife and children weren't as lucky, and are under house arrest at his residence while the police said Wine was lying and he was currently under house arrest, something they weren't able to provide any evidence for.[18] Wine also called on the Ugandan people to "reject whatever is being declared by Byabakama" that the "results are fake" and "do not in any way reflect what is on the declaration forms" and that "We want to call upon the people of Uganda to reject these fake results."[17] He called for a restoration of the internet in the country, and for the vote tally sheets to be released so the results could be verified by the public.[17] The Ugandan police meanwhile urged citizens to stay at home and that it is "only lawbreakers who need to think twice or worry."[19]

  • People Power! One of Bobi Wine's popular slogans during the campaign.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Bobi Wine Evokes GenZ Protests With Warning Over Uganda Vote". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Roque, Paula Cristina. "Museveni's Militarised Elections: A Gen Z Reckoning". africanarguments.org. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  3. ^ a b "Uganda braces for tense election as Museveni seeks win". The Eastleigh Voice. Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  4. ^ "Uganda election results show Yoweri Museveni leading Bobi Wine as opposition supporters killed in overnight clashes". BBC News. 2026-01-16. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  5. ^ a b "At least seven killed in Ugandan post-election violence, police say".
  6. ^ a b c d e f Nzilani, Vincent Mumo; Winning, Alexander. "Ugandan opposition leader 'forcibly taken,' party says, as President Museveni nears reelection". Reuters. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  7. ^ a b c Ross, Aaron. "What is at stake in Uganda's presidential election?". Reuters. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  8. ^ "Bobi Wine warns of protests if Uganda election is rigged". Africa News. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  9. ^ Kannampilly, Ammu; Nzilani, Vincent Mumo. "Uganda votes in tense election seen as test of President Museveni's strength". Reuters. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  10. ^ a b c Bigg, Matthew Mpoke. "Ugandan Opposition Leader Bobi Wine Was Abducted, His Party Says". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  11. ^ Mureithi, Carlos (2026-01-16). "Ugandan opposition MP says security forces stormed home killing 10 people". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  12. ^ "Uganda election descends into deadly violence as President Yoweri Museveni looks to cling to power". Sky News. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  13. ^ "Uganda: tensions between police and protesters as Museveni leads polls". Africa News. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  14. ^ a b c d Elbagir, Yousra. "'People power' opposition supporters shout as voting count in Uganda election turns violent". Sky News. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  15. ^ Mugabi, Isaac. "Uganda election: Museveni takes early lead". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  16. ^ "Opposition supporters killed in overnight clashes as Uganda's Museveni takes early election lead". People Daily. BBC. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  17. ^ a b c Mwenda, Kenneth. "Bobi Wine narrates how he escaped after his house was raided at night". Peoples Daily. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  18. ^ Nkonge, Anita; Fleming, Lucy. "Uganda opposition leader says he has escaped as police deny abducting him by helicopter". BBC. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  19. ^ Oluoch, Luke. "Uganda police issue strong warning against violent post-election protests". Peoples Daily. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
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