Politics 16 July 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
HRW Slams Museveni, Muhoozi for Crackdown on Critics and Abductions
Human Rights Watch has accused the Ugandan government, under President Museveni and Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, of escalating a crackdown on dissent through arbitrary arrests, incommunicado detentions, and politically charged prosecutions. The organization highlights multiple cases of perceived critics being targeted by security forces. Source: https://observer.ug/news/human-rights-watch-criticises-museveni-muhoozi-over-state-abductions-and-crackdown-on-critics
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a scathing report accusing the Ugandan government of intensifying its suppression of political critics. The organization alleges that President Yoweri Museveni and his son, Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, are overseeing a campaign that includes arbitrary arrests, detentions without communication, and prosecutions designed to silence opposition.
According to HRW’s findings, since mid-June 2026, security forces have unlawfully detained at least five individuals critical of the government. The military’s actions have extended to surrounding the premises of Nation Media Group, prompting the media house to suspend operations following what HRW described as critical reporting.
Carine Kaneza Nantulya, HRW’s deputy Africa Director, stated that the government is increasingly using the military against dissent, contrary to its constitutional obligations. “They should stop using security forces to take out critics and instead respect Uganda’s Constitution and Ugandans’ rights,” she urged.
The report details several specific cases, including the alleged abduction and two-day incommunicado detention of former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. Lukwago was reportedly arrested from his home and later charged with treason-related offenses, with his family alleging he was assaulted in military custody.
HRW also raised concerns about the deportation of Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua, who was denied entry into Uganda while intending to observe Lukwago’s court proceedings. Veteran activist Miria Matembe and journalist Timothy Kalyegira are also named, facing charges related to sectarianism and operating media platforms without a license, respectively.
Further instances cited include the re-arrest of National Unity Platform’s Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi and the alleged detention and mistreatment of opposition supporter Andrew Nabimanya. HRW notes that these arrests appear to fall outside the legal provisions governing military involvement in civilian arrests.
The organization further criticizes the recent enactment of the Protection of Sovereignty Act, which it believes grants broad powers to regulate foreign funding and could further restrict civil society organizations. HRW calls for an end to the crackdown, thorough investigations into alleged human rights violations, and accountability for those responsible.