BY OUR TEAM
Kampala
Uganda’s January 15 general election is drawing mounting international scrutiny after global law firm Amsterdam & Partners LLP raised alarm over what it describes as growing restrictions on opposition activity and threats to electoral transparency.
The firm, which continues to represent opposition presidential contender Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine), released a statement this week voicing concern about the conduct of the campaigns and the environment in which voters will cast their ballots.
Escalating Tensions on the Campaign Trail
Opposition groups have reported increased confrontation with security forces in recent weeks, including Campaign events halted or broken up,
Arrests of organisers and district coordinators,
Journalists blocked from covering rallies,
Heavy police deployment in neighbourhoods seen as opposition strongholds.
Human rights organisations tracking the election period say the incidents form part of a pattern that has affected multiple candidates beyond Bobi Wine, raising questions over the level playing field guaranteed by law.
Government officials have defended the actions as necessary to enforce public order regulations, accusing some opposition groups of breaching approved campaign schedules.
Concerns Over Digital Controls.
A second point of friction surrounds technology and communications.
Amsterdam & Partners and several election monitoring groups warn that the government could restrict digital platforms — particularly social media — during or immediately after the vote. Uganda has previously imposed full internet shutdowns during tense political phases, most notably in 2021.
Officials deny any intention to cut access, but opposition leaders say they are preparing for disruptions, including alternative tallying systems and offline information-sharing networks.
Museveni’s Long Incumbency in Focus
The election marks another challenge to President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled since 1986 and remains a dominant force in Ugandan politics.
Museveni’s National Resistance Movement maintains that it enjoys broad support, particularly in rural areas, and says the country’s stability and economic continuity depend on staying the course.
Critics argue that nearly four decades in power have concentrated authority in the presidency and blurred lines between the ruling party and state security.
International Attention Intensifies.
Observers from several rights organisations and regional missions are expected to monitor the vote, though local civil society groups say their own ability to track polling stations has been weakened by administrative hurdles and delays in accreditation.
Amsterdam & Partners says it plans to publicise electoral developments outside Uganda — a move analysts say reflects widening efforts to draw international attention to domestic political disputes.
Looking Ahead to Election Day.
With just days to go, tensions remain restrained but highly charged. Political analysts warn that the election’s aftermath may prove more volatile than the campaign period, particularly if results are disputed.
Uganda’s Electoral Commission maintains it is fully prepared and has urged candidates and voters to remain calm, insisting that the process will meet national standards.
For millions heading to the polls on January 15, questions linger over security, transparency, and whether the playing field is level — but the outcome will again test Uganda’s democratic institutions and its political future.