Overview
- UN High Commissioner Volker Türk publicly denounced the crackdown on Thursday, saying information gathered since the 15 January election shows at least 50 opposition supporters, five human rights defenders and five journalists have faced enforced disappearance, torture or arbitrary detention.
- The Protection of Sovereignty Act, passed in May 2026, imposes strict limits on foreign funding and engagement with NGOs and carries penalties of up to 10 years in prison for violations.
- At least 10 leading civil society organisations have been suspended since January, and some media outlets have been temporarily forced to close, producing widespread self‑censorship and reduced public debate.
- The hospitalisation of long‑detained opposition figure Kizza Besigye after he collapsed during a court hearing on 29 July has intensified international attention on the treatment of political detainees.
- The UN urged Uganda to stop military interference in civilian institutions and to uphold separation of powers, warning that continued restrictions could further shrink civic space and complicate international engagement and aid.