Together with partners, we have written to the international community urging immediate action to condemn and respond to the escalating repression of civil society, human rights defenders, journalists and political opposition in Uganda. 

To:  

The United Nations Human Rights Council, Geneva 
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, Banjul 
The African Union Peace and Security Council, Addis Ababa 
The East African Community, Arusha 
The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders 
All UN Member States  

Urgent Call to Action — Condemn and End Escalating Repression of Civil Society, Human Rights Defenders, Journalists, and Political Opposition in Uganda 

THE CONTEXT 

CIVICUS, the global civil society alliance, together with the 246 organisations who signed this letter (with 80 of them who chose to be anonymous), draw urgent attention to the rapid deterioration of civic space and human rights in Uganda. The CIVICUS Monitor currently rates Uganda's civic space as Repressed. This ranking reflects the systematic denial of the freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. 

Uganda, under President Yoweri Museveni, who has held power continuously since 1986, is accelerating attacks against civic space. President Museveni's re-election to a seventh term on 15 January 2026 took place amid "widespread repression and intimidation against the political opposition, human rights defenders, journalists and those with dissenting views," according to the UN Human Rights Office. The repression has continued to worsen. Authorities have systematically weaponised legislation, security forces, military courts, and transnational repression to silence dissent, destroy independent civil society, and entrench one-party dominance in the country. 

In the pre-election period, Uganda's NGO Bureau suspended at least seven leading human rights organisations, including Chapter Four Uganda, ACFIM, HRNJ-Uganda, the National NGO Forum, the Centre for Constitutional Governance, the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders, and ACTV. A nationwide internet shutdown from 13 till 20 January 2026 blocked independent information and electoral observation at the most critical moment of the democratic process. 

Most recently, on the night of 28 June 2026, Uganda's military chief ordered the forced closure of at least six media outlets belonging to the Nation Media Group, including the Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda. Scores of activists were arbitrarily arrested. These events demonstrate a broader pattern documented by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, CPJ, the FIDH-OMCT Observatory, and the UN Human Rights Office. These events signal an accelerating erosion of the rule of law that the international community can no longer treat as isolated incidents. Uganda already ranks 131 of 180 countries on the World Press Freedom Index, in the "very serious" category; 

EXCESSES OF THE MILITARY CHIEF AND MILITARISATION OF CIVIC SPACE  

The role of General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, President Museveni's son and Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), raises grave concerns. His conduct represents an alarming fusion of military power, impunity, and political succession ambitions.  

We condemn the conduct of General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, whose statements and command decisions have repeatedly crossed the line from national defence into political repression. Following disputed elections, on 23 January 2026, in overnight social media posts, he stated security forces had detained roughly 2,000 opposition supporters and killed 30 others post-election. The General described National Unity Platform supporters as "hooligans and terrorists,” rhetoric from a serving commander that constitutes incitement and a direct threat to the right to life. Ahead of the elections, security forces violently descended on peaceful political gatherings, deploying tear gas, pepper spray, batons, wires, and dogs to disperse crowds attending opposition rallies, while also imposing arbitrary movement restrictions. 

His direct order to close six media houses and documented threats to "eliminate" the opposition and its leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) evidence a pattern of military authority wielded to intimidate civilians and override due process. The actions were independent of judicial oversight, entrenched further by the 2025 UPDF Amendment Act reinstating military tribunals' jurisdiction over civilians. 

We call on the international community to publicly condemn the use of military force and command of authority to suppress fundamental freedoms. They must insist that all allegations of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture and unlawful detention attributed to security forces be subject to prompt, independent, impartial investigation, with those responsible held accountable regardless of rank.  

We also note the disproportionate impact on women human rights defenders as well as environmental and land rights defenders in the Albertine oil region. They are increasingly framed by authorities as security threats rather than legitimate civic actors. We call for an independent, international investigation into these actions and for targeted accountability measures against those responsible. 

VIOLATIONS AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS, JOURNALISTS and MEDIA  

The targeting of human rights defenders in Uganda has reached extraordinary proportions. Various reports have confirmed arbitrary and unlawful killings, enforced disappearances, torture, arbitrary arrest and detention, and systematic transnational repression against individuals outside the country. These are not isolated incidents but manifestations of a deliberate state strategy. 

Detention of defenders:  

• Dr Sarah Bireete (Centre for Constitutional Governance) was arrested over her human rights work; Dr Miria Matembe (an activist) was abducted, illegally detained and later produced in court and charged with incitement. 

• In the environmental justice sphere alone, at least 81 environmental rights defenders were arrested between May and December 2025 for protesting against large-scale oil projects, including the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). Many of these are still in courts battling with legal cases. 

• Opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye remains detained on treason charges since his abduction in Kenya in November 2024, with associate Obeid Lutale. 

Attacks on journalists:  

• CPJ documented repeated assaults by the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force, including the beating of journalist Ibrahim Miracle, the blindfolded detention of NMG staff Abubaker Lubowa, Denis Kabugo and Raymond Tamale, and assaults on NTV/NBS TV crews. 

• Suppression of media: UCC suspended outlets including Pearl FM over election reporting. On 28 June 2026 six more outlets, including the Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda, were forced to close on military orders. President Museveni himself used a June 2024 State of the Nation address to condemn investigative journalists who had exposed government corruption, accusing them of working "for foreign interests" and "diverting our people through the media to the interests of foreign parasites." 

Restrictive legislation:   

• The Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act 2022, NGO (Amendment) Act 2024, and UPDF (Amendment) Act 2025 have been used to harass and intimidate, including to prosecute critics, suspend CSOs, and expand military jurisdiction over civilians. 

• Lethal force: The UN Human Rights Office and Amnesty documented unlawful use of firearms against peaceful assemblies, including in Iganga, where security forces opened fire on rally attendees, killing at least one person. 

• Uganda's Protection of Sovereignty Act, 2026, assented to by President Museveni on 17 May 2026, poses grave dangers to fundamental freedoms and civic space. It imposes criminal liability, mandatory registration, and foreign-funding restrictions on a broad range of organisations, individuals, and entities operating in Uganda. It criminalises vaguely defined "sovereignty offences" and "economic sabotage," emerging amid a fast-tracked legislative process with limited public consultation and a broader context of civic space restrictions in Uganda. Civil society, media, and human rights defenders face heightened surveillance, funding restrictions, and self-censorship risks 

These acts amount to a systemic attack on Ugandan civic space, incompatible with Uganda's obligations under the ICCPR, the African Charter, and its own Constitution. 

MOBILISING THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY  

CIVICUS and the undersigned organisations urgently call on the UN Human Rights Council, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, the African Union, the East African Community, and all Member States to: 

• Formally, publicly and unequivocally condemn General Muhoozi Kainerugaba's conduct and the UPDF's attacks on journalists, defenders and civilians, and call for command accountability. 

• Call on Uganda to immediately reinstate the licences of all suspended CSOs and media houses, including the Daily Monitor, NTV Uganda and the seven suspended CSOss. 

• Press for the immediate release of Dr Besigye, Dr Bireete, and all human rights defenders, journalists and activists arbitrarily detained for their legitimate work. 

• Support an independent international investigation via UN Special Procedures and the ACHPR into killings, disappearances and torture since January 2026. 

• Urge the repeal or review of the Computer Misuse Act, NGO Act, and UPDF Amendment Act, weaponised against fundamental freedoms. 

• Condition security, trade and development cooperation on verifiable human rights progress, consistent with AU, EAC, EU and Commonwealth commitments. 

• Dispatch an urgent visit by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders and the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression to Uganda. 

• Ensure diplomatic missions in Kampala, maintain visible engagement with, and extend protection including emergency visas, and flexible funding, for at-risk defenders and journalists. 

• Call on the African Union and the East African Community to convene a high-level dialogue on Uganda's human rights situation, consistent with their mandates under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and the African Democracy Charter.  

We note with concern that the AU, EAC and IGAD moved swiftly to endorse the January 2026 election outcome despite documented repression. We urge these institutions to match that swiftness with equally decisive protective action.  

The international community cannot stand by as Uganda approaches a critical moment clouded in terror, transnational abduction, military overreach, and systematic silencing of dissent. The stakes are immense for Ugandan citizens, for regional democratic norms, and for the credibility of international human rights institutions. We call on you to act with urgency, resolve, and solidarity. 

CIVICUS and the undersigned stand in solidarity with Uganda's human rights defenders, journalists and independent media. We remain available to provide further documentation and support to any accountability process.

Sincerely, 

1. Aalem for Orphan and Vulnerable Children, Inc. 

2. Action for Humanity & Social Progress 

3. Activist  

4. Aden foundation for arts and sciences  

5. African Initiative on Food Security and Environment (AIFE-Uganda) 

6. Al Masaqi Organization for Environment and Sustainable Development 

7. Allied Initiatives for Community Development 

8. Allied Youth Initiative  

9. Amael 

10. Ana tare community health and empowerment initiative  

11. APSC 

12. Armenian Constitutional Right-Protective Centre NGO 

13. ArtLords 

14. Ashar Prodeep 

15. Association Civic Watch  

16. AU COMPUTER INVESTMENT LTD 

17. Av Abdirahman Omar Abdi, ESQ 

18. AVG News 

19. Bagmati Welfare Society Nepal (BWSN) 

20. Bangladesh Human Rights Commission  

21. Base Iota Foundation 

22. Biko Resource Ltd 

23. BlaqChild Development Foundation 

24. Blue Door Education 

25. BRIDGE Foundation 

26. Cardinal Aid Development Support Initiative  

27. Center for Democracy and Human Rights 

28. Center for Media Research - Nepal 

29. Civic Freedoms Forum  

30. CivicHive 

31. CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation 

32. Coalition des Volontaires pour la Paix et le Développement, CVPD-RDC  

33. Collaborative Futures (Gisa Group) 

34. Common children Foundation  

35. Community Green Mindsets  

36. Community Rebuilding Center  

37. Consultando soluciones&CIEC 

38. CREAP Africa Initiative  

39. Daami Youth Development Organization (DYDO) 

40. DAWEO 

41. Democratic Front  

42. Department of public health  

43. Deploy & Nurturing Gallery (DNG) 

44. Dominion Rescue Foundation  

45. Eastern Social Development Foundation  

46. Edu-Nation 

47. Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ) The Gambia 

48. Environmental Defenders (ED) 

49. ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS ORGANISATIONS - UGANDA CHAPTER (EROG-UG) 

50. Ethio Love in DoNation Family (ELDoF) 

51. Fellowship for community enlightment and Lubaga social justice center  

52. Fidel Birhan Charitable Organization  

53. Freedom Hive Uganda  

54. Frontier Centre for Community Empowerment FROCECE  

55. Gigascope 

56. Global Alliance for a Healthy Society (GAHSO) 

57. Global Center for Democratic Governance  

58. Greater North United War Debt Claimants Association Uganda 

59. Green Eco multipurpose Cooperative Society 

60. Habitat Defenders Africa  

61. Haki Nawiri Afrika 

62. Happy family youth Uganda limited  

63. Hear Their Voice Initiative (HTVI). 

64. Higher Institute for Human Rights and Diplomatic Sciences  

65. Hitma for Cultural and Social Development 

66. human rights defense club 

67. Human Rights First - Ethiopia  

68. Humanist Watch Salone  

69. Humanitarian Works Association (HWA) 

70. ICDC-NEPAL  

71. ICWSA 

72. Inclusive Voice for Women and Youth Initiative 

73. India Media Centre 

74. Initiative of Ruban Youths for Development  

75. Inspiring Africa 

76. Institutions of Civil Society and Human Rights in Afghanistan 

77. International Human Rights Commission Bangladesh IHRCB-CEC  

78. ISDMAK.Org - Republic of Kosova 

79. Jijenge youth organization  

80. Juba Aid for peace and Development organization(JAPDO) Based in somalia 

81. Juventude Solidária pela Transformação de Moçambique - JSTM  

82. K.K. KHANNA & ASSOCIATE ADVOCATES 

83. Kafanchan GreenBuild  

84. Kanishk Social Media – Amplifying Earth Voice 

85. Karamoja Rights Advocates Network  

86. Karonga walks with changes  

87. Keiyo Women Trust 

88. Kenya Human Rights Commission 

89. KRISTYLE MEDIA CENTRE FOR PEOPLES INVOLVEMENT IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 

90. Kuchalo Education Services  

91. Kurdish organizations Network coalition for the International Criminal court (KONCICC) 

92. Kurdistan Medical Science Organization (K.M.S.O) 

93. Lanka Fundamental Rights Organization 

94. LekhanKala.org  

95. Liberty ProBono initiative (LPI) 

96. Light for Rural Development Institute 

97. Like-Minds Community  

98. Malawi Rising Youth Movement  

99. Marang nformation Centre  

100. MENA PEERS Network  

101. Millenium community-based organization 

102. Mjoli Langa Mafu Sustainable Environment  

103. MOLI 

104. Nadeem Kusada Investment Limited  

105. Nation Media Group 

106. Nepal Intellectual Forum 

107. Network Advancement Program for Poverty & Disaster Risk Reduction (NAPPDRR). 

108. New Myanmar Foundation 

109. OJC-Organization of the Justice Campaign 

110. One Citizen Network for democracy (OCND) 

111. One World One Family Foundation Malawi 

112. Onelife Initiative 

113. optimistic empowerment kenya 

114. Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum 

115. PALISEP TANZANIA  

116. PARITTRAN 

117. PEN International  

118. Plataforma Portuguesa das ONGD / Portuguese Platform of Development NGOs 

119. Prattasha Samazik Unnayan Sangstha (PSUS) 

120. Raising Lazarus  

121. Reach Out Tanzania  

122. Real Agenda for Youth Transformation Trust  

123. Rebrand Nigeria Initiative (RNI) 

124. REFORM AND HOPE ORGANIZATION 

125. Rural Smiles 

126. Rural Smiles Foundation  

127. Rural Women and Girls Rights Foundation  

128. Safe Steps Initiative 

129. Sankalpa Darchula Nepal  

130. Save The Climat 

131. Save the Climat 

132. SGE Commission 

133. Smart Aid Initiative 

134. Social Movement Technologies 

135. Somali Youth Leaders 

136. SPACE 

137. Special Needs Education Research and Innovation Centre (SNERIC) 

138. STAR-Ghana Foundation 

139. Students for Global Democracy Uganda 

140. Suara Perempuan Nusantara 

141. Sukaar Welfare Organization  

142. Synergy Association for Victims 

143. TAALUF HUMANITAIRE ORGANIZATION 

144. Tanah digital initiative limited  

145. Tanah digital initiative limited  

146. Tanzania Organization for Agricultural Development (TOfAD) 

147. The Sisterhood Chain International  

148. The Young Feminists Movement  

149. Tigray Empowerment Network (TEN) 

150. Union of Secondary School Students of Serbia (UNSS) 

151. United Youth for Sustainable Globe Eswatini 

152. University of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan  

153. UTTHAN 

154. VISION-LINK AI HUB  

155. Women & Girls Health Empowerment Network  

156. Women & Youth Development International (WYDI) 

157. Women and Modern World Social Charitable Center – CWMW  

158. Women Effect Organization  

159. Women On Environment Mission 

160. Young Soul Uganda  

161. Youth awake initiative  

162. Youth in Action for Sustainable Development 

163. Youth initiative 

164. Youth Mentorship Initiative 

165. Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network 

166. Zina Voluntary Organization for Development and Reconstruction 

*Plus 80 additional signatory organisation who wished to remain anonymous.