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Uganda’s Electoral Commission cleared eight candidates to contest the January 2026 presidential election, including President Yoweri Museveni and opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine. Museveni seeks a seventh term and has led the country since 1986, following constitutional amendments that removed age and term limits. Observers and opposition figures have expressed concerns over electoral fairness and the treatment of political opponents.
Police clashed with demonstrators at a rally in Kampala on Sept. 24, 2025, celebrating opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine’s, nomination for the 2026 presidential election. Hundreds of supporters gathered on the streets carrying portraits of Wine. Officers used batons to control the crowd as some attempted to break through a police cordon. About a dozen people were arrested during the clashes.
The Electoral Commission (EC) barred the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) from fielding a presidential candidate in the 2026 elections. EC cited internal constitutional breaches and binding court rulings, including a High Court decision limiting party president Jimmy Akena to two terms. The commission also rejected nominations from Denis Adim and other senior party figures. UPC said it will seek judicial review of the EC ruling.
The Netherlands neared an agreement with Uganda to establish deportation centers for rejected asylum seekers. Asylum Minister David van Weel aims to finalize terms during the UN General Assembly. The centers would serve as a first step before returning asylum seekers to African countries. The Dutch government must meet international human rights standards, while Uganda would receive financial support for hosting the facilities.
Uganda’s proposed 2026/27 budget cuts government spending by 4.1% to Shs69.4 trillion to improve debt sustainability and lower interest costs. The Finance Ministry will maintain funding for infrastructure, oil, and private sector development while reducing domestic borrowing to ease credit access. Recurrent services, including health, education, and local government operations, are subject to the planned spending reductions and efficiency measures.
Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana was arrested on Sept. 24 near the Electoral Commission offices in Lubowa for crossing a checkpoint without authorization. Police also detained several journalists and boda-boda riders. Ssewanyana was taken to Kajjansi police station, while authorities said others were already in custody on suspicion of intending to cause chaos.
Human rights and digital rights groups reported increased government oversight of online expression ahead of Uganda’s 2026 election. Authorities arrested and prosecuted social media users under the Computer Misuse Act and expanded regulatory powers. Legal reforms permitted some civilians to be tried in military courts. Observers noted rising self-censorship and shrinking civic space, while officials stated the measures aimed to ensure responsible content and maintain public order.
President Yoweri Museveni announced plans to recruit 50,000 teachers to reduce shortages in government primary schools. The initiative aims to target disparities in Uganda’s Universal Primary Education system, which employs 142,000 teachers. The recruitment aims to expand access to quality education. Museveni also launched the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps in Kampala.
The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) called on Uganda to implement gender-responsive reforms in social protection. A study in Uganda and Kenya found low coverage, corruption, and access barriers, particularly for women in informal work. Only 6.2% of the population receives benefits. The report urges policies to support unpaid care, recognize informal labor, and expand access to healthcare, education, and gender-disaggregated data.
