On post-election situation in Uganda and threats against opposition leader Bobi Wine

B100124/2026

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 Rule 150 (5) of its Rules of Procedure,

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

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

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

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

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 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.