Two days before Ugandans went to the polls, the country’s digital space fell silent.
For the African Union’s Election Observer Mission, that moment marked a turning point—one that, it says, undercut both citizens’ rights and confidence in the integrity of the vote.
Speaking at a joint press conference at Skyz Hotel in Naguru, the head of the AU Election Observer Mission, former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan, said the decision by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to suspend internet access contradicted explicit assurances previously given to international observers.
“Despite previous assurances by the Uganda Communications Commission of continued internet availability throughout the electoral period, the Mission noted with concern that two days before the election, the UCC shut down the internet,” Jonathan said.
“This action affected citizens’ right to access information, infringed on freedom of expression, and negatively impacted the effectiveness of the AU–COMESA–IGAD Joint Election Observer Mission.”
The shutdown came at the end of a long and tightly managed campaign season. Uganda’s 2026 general election campaigns ran from September 29, 2025, to January 13, 2026, with eight candidates contesting the presidency.
While the AU Mission noted that political competition took place across the country, it found that the playing field remained uneven, shaped by disparities in access to state resources, media coverage, and campaign space.
Compared with the violence that marred the 2021 elections, the 2026 campaign period was relatively calmer. Still, the Mission documented multiple reports of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and the excessive use of force, particularly against opposition candidates and supporters, journalists, civil society actors, and other stakeholders.
According to the observers, security forces were deployed to disperse opposition rallies using tear gas, water cannons, and in some instances, live ammunition, resulting in injuries and reported fatalities.
Jonathan said the main opposition candidate raised repeated concerns with the Mission over blocked campaign venues, denial of access to pre-booked accommodation, and exclusion from both public and private media platforms.
The observers also received allegations of vote buying and candidate bribery, including the distribution of cash, goods, and other material benefits. Beyond campaign conduct, the Mission highlighted structural weaknesses in Uganda’s electoral framework, particularly the absence of a comprehensive system regulating campaign financing.
“High campaign costs, coupled with weak regulation, contribute to an uneven playing field that favors wealthier candidates and entrenched political actors,” Jonathan said.
“This limits meaningful participation by candidates with fewer financial resources, especially women, youth, and persons with disabilities.”
Despite these concerns, the Mission commended the Electoral Commission and the Uganda Police Force for providing security to presidential candidates and safeguarding key stages of the electoral process, including polling, counting, and tallying.
However, it raised alarm over what it described as ultra vires directives issued by the Chief of Defence Forces, later endorsed by the Electoral Commission chairperson and the Inspector General of Police, ordering voters to leave polling stations immediately after casting their ballots.
“This directive was contrary to the law, which allows voters to remain beyond the 20-metre radius,” Jonathan said, adding that it “raised suspicion among voters and stakeholders and affected perceptions of transparency.”
The Mission also observed that reports of intimidation, arrests, and alleged abductions of opposition leaders, candidates, supporters, journalists, and civil society actors created an atmosphere of fear and further eroded public trust.
While acknowledging that Uganda continues to hold regular elections and that the January 15, 2026, polls were conducted in a calmer environment than those of 2021, the AU Mission said serious concerns persist.