Uganda's President Museveni has labelled opposition leaders as "terrorists", claiming they attempted to use violence to overturn his election victory. The official results show Museveni winning a landslide 72% of the vote, but critics argue that the poll was marred by heavy repression of the opposition and an internet blackout.
The whereabouts of opposition leader Bobi Wine were uncertain after he fled his home amid reports of a police raid on Saturday. Police denied the allegations, saying Wine was still at home, but blocked journalists from approaching his residence.
Wine's party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), had planned to attack polling stations in areas where they were losing, according to Museveni's victory speech. However, Human Rights Watch accused the government of "brutal repression" of the opposition ahead of the vote.
Museveni has ruled Uganda since 1986 and has taken steps to prevent violent unrest like that seen in neighbouring Tanzania during polls last year. The most serious reports of violence on election day came from the Butambala area, where security forces allegedly killed at least 10 people at an opposition MP's home.
African Union observers noted that "reports of intimidation, arrest and abductions" had "instilled fear and eroded public trust in the electoral process". The government maintains a ban on social media platforms until further notice, despite some internet coverage being restored late on Saturday.
The whereabouts of opposition leader Bobi Wine were uncertain after he fled his home amid reports of a police raid on Saturday. Police denied the allegations, saying Wine was still at home, but blocked journalists from approaching his residence.
Wine's party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), had planned to attack polling stations in areas where they were losing, according to Museveni's victory speech. However, Human Rights Watch accused the government of "brutal repression" of the opposition ahead of the vote.
Museveni has ruled Uganda since 1986 and has taken steps to prevent violent unrest like that seen in neighbouring Tanzania during polls last year. The most serious reports of violence on election day came from the Butambala area, where security forces allegedly killed at least 10 people at an opposition MP's home.
African Union observers noted that "reports of intimidation, arrest and abductions" had "instilled fear and eroded public trust in the electoral process". The government maintains a ban on social media platforms until further notice, despite some internet coverage being restored late on Saturday.
this whole thing is just so messed up... i mean, 72% of the vote is like, a landslide for sure, but when you're talking about 10 people getting killed at polling stations... that's not something to be celebrated 
. and now Museveni's labelling opposition leaders as terrorists? that's just crazy talk. where's the evidence? it sounds like more of an excuse to crack down on dissenting voices.
. anyhoo, this just leaves a bad taste in my mouth... 
Uganda's election was supposed to be a step forward for democracy but it sounds like Museveni's got some serious grip on the country 
the image of security forces killing people at an opposition MP's home is just devastating 
it's like, you'd think they'd want a peaceful transfer of power after 37 years in office, but I guess some ppl don't value democracy as much as we do 
. And the internet blackout? That's like, so not okay 
. We need to be holding our leaders accountable for their actions and making sure that people have the freedom to express themselves without fear of retribution 
.
and the gov is trying to shut down social media again? this election was rigged for sure and human rights watch is like "hey guys we got your back" 
meanwhile african union observers are all "peace out, trust in electoral process is dead" 
sounds like just another excuse to silence critics 
He's been in power for ages and it's getting old 
Bobi Wine's party was planning some peaceful protests, not attacks 
, but the gov is trying to spin it as if they're crazy 
. Human Rights Watch is all over this too 
. Can't believe the gov blocked social media during elections 
... total transparency 
. At least 10 people were killed in Butambala 
from them 
his landslide win might have fooled ppl but human rights watch and african union observers see the truth - heavy repression of opposition and now labeling them as terrorists? not cool, man 
and it's still happening today, but with social media shutdowns and police raids on opposition homes...like, can't they just give ppl their freedom of speech or something? 
The fact that there was an internet blackout and police raided Bobi Wine's home? It sounds like a total power grab. 
He needs to start listening to the people and giving them a voice. This whole thing just feels like more of the same old authoritarian behavior. 
.
this is so messed up 
and now they're accusing the opposition of being terrorists? that's just a whole other level of BS 
is this really happening in 2025?! and why are people being arrested and killed for trying to vote or express their opinions? it just doesn't seem right...
.
.
. Maybe if they do, we can start to see some real change in Uganda 
! Museveni's label as a "terrorist" leader 
. How can he claim that the opposition was trying to use violence when the gov't has been cracking down on them? 
is pretty scary 
. I mean, 72% of the vote is a landslide, but it's not like he actually won the hearts and minds of Ugandans. The fact that they had to block journalists from approaching Bobi Wine's house says a lot about how "transparent" this election was 
. And let's be real, Human Rights Watch wasn't wrong when they called out the government for brutal repression. I'm not surprised Museveni is trying to label opposition leaders as terrorists, it's just classic authoritarian behavior 
. seems like the government's trying to prevent any violence, but instead they're causing more problems 
. bobi wine's party was just planning to get out there and make some noise, you know, participate in the democratic process... but noooo they gotta be labeled terrorists instead 
. And let's not forget that the government blocked social media and shut down internet access, which is basically a form of censorship 
to me. i mean even if the polls were super rigged (which they prob was) why bring up this "attacking polling stations" thing? sounds like a total setup to me. and what's with the internet blackout? thats like, soooo bad for democracy and stuff 
. human rights watch is all like brutal repression and i gotta agree 
we should be liftin each other up not tearin each other down