What changed

B100124/2026

European Parliament resolution on the post-election situation in Uganda and threats against opposition leader Bobi Wine

European Parliament resolution on post-election situation in Uganda and threats against opposition leader Bobi Wine

(2026/2611(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to RuleRules 150150(5) (5)and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

having regard to Articles 21, 22, 27 and 29 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda,

A. whereas 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;

A. whereas on 17 January 2026, the Electoral Commission of Uganda announced that long-standing President Yoweri Museveni had been re-elected in the January 2026 elections for the seventh time with 71.65 per cent of the vote, with opposition candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine, of the National Unity Platform receiving 24.72 per cent of the vote;

B. whereas, 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;

B. whereas the campaign period was marred by the disruption of opposition activities; whereas there were widespread reports of persecution, harassment and detention of supporters of Bobi Wine; whereas on 13 January 2026 the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) suspended internet and certain mobile services;

C. whereas 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; whereas his wife, Barbara Kyagulanyi, had to relocate outside Uganda;

C. whereas the African Union (AU) Election Observation Mission did not find evidence of ballot stuffing but denounced “reports of intimidation, arrest and abductions”, saying they “instilled fear and eroded public trust in the electoral process”;

D. whereas 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;

D. whereas General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the President’s son and the Chief of Defence Forces, made explicit public threats against Bobi Wine, calling for him to be hunted, harmed, or killed; whereas Ugandan soldiers raided Wine’s house after the January 15 vote but the opposition leader had already gone into hiding;

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

E. whereas after the election, Uganda security forces targeted senior opposition leaders, with several deputies either missing or in detention;

F. whereas long-standing opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye was illegally rendered from Kenya, detained for over one year prior to the elections, is severely ill and reportedly denied medical care, and faces trial for treason;

F. whereas during 2021-2024 the EU supported Uganda with EUR 94 million to improve governance; whereas Ugandan authorities have termed European funding for civic and political space as foreign interference and attempts at destabilisation;

1. Strongly condemns the conduct of the elections and the brutal crackdown on political opposition, civil society, journalists and protesters; condemns the harassment of and threats to Bobi Wine; denounces the killing of Mesach Okello;

1. Recalls that under the Ugandan Constitution, the citizens of Uganda have a right to freedom of expression, association, assembly, and political opinion;

2. Urges the Ugandan authorities to end all violence, threats, harassment and arbitrary detention of opposition figures, activists and critics, including Bobi Wine and his wife, to immediately and unconditionally release all those arbitrarily detained, including Dr Besigye, to stop resorting to military trials against civilians, to drop all politically motivated charges, including against Sarah Bireete, to urgently disclose the whereabouts of all missing persons, and to ensure justice and accountability, and align judicial practices with constitutional safeguards and international fair trial standards;

2. Is worried about the pre- and post-election violence and calls on all parties to exercise restraint and to resolve disputes by peaceful and constitutional means;

3. Urges the Ugandan authorities to end arbitrary suspensions of civil society groups, to 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;

3. Is worried about the threats against opposition leader Bobi Wine; calls on the Ugandan authorities to ensure the safety of all political actors; believes that a safe and unconditional return of Bobi Wine can substantially improve the political climate;

4. Calls for the EU, its Member States and regional bodies to critically engage with Ugandan authorities regarding violations, closely monitoring relevant trials;

4. Encourages Uganda to implement the recommendations of the AU Observation Mission, including on electoral reform, transparency of campaign funding, strengthening the independence of the Electoral Commission and effective civilian control over security agencies;

5. Calls for the EU and its Member States to 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;

5. Encourages the ruling party to engage the opposition in future legal and institutional reforms;

6. Calls for independent and impartial investigations into crimes against humanity committed by Ugandan political and military leaders and of other African countries;

6. Calls on the EU to evaluate funding to Uganda in the field of democracy and governance; warns against interfering in the internal political process of Uganda;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the African Union and the Ugandan authorities.

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the European External Action Service, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the President, government and parliament of Uganda and the African Union.