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

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

(2026/2611(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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

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;

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

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