Human Rights Watch on Thursday expressed concerns in connection with the arbitrary detention of government critics by the Ugandan military, stating that the authorities are holding the individuals in unknown locations and then transferring them to civilian authorities for politically motivated prosecution. The organization said the arrests were part of a broader campaign against opposition figures, lawyers, journalists and independent media.
Commenting on the military’s alleged human rights abuses, Carine Kaneza Nantulya, HRW’s deputy Africa director, said: “No military officer should be able to commit serious violations with impunity… Uganda’s partners should urge the government of President (Yoweri) Museveni to end these abuses, uphold the rule of law and ensure those responsible are held accountable.”
According to HRW, since mid-June 2026, Ugandan security forces have unlawfully arrested at least five critics of President Museveni and his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, head of the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF). The military has also surrounded the premises of Nation Media Group, Uganda’s largest independent media organization, and reportedly forced its television and newspaper operations to cease operations.
Among the documented cases was the June 15 arrest of lawyer Erias Lukwago, who is representing opposition politician Kizza Besigye in a treason case. Armed soldiers reportedly raided Lukwago’s home and took him to an unknown location.
Lukwago was transferred to police custody two days later, charged with treason offenses related to Besigye’s case and remanded in custody. Kenyan lawyer and former justice minister Martha Karua, Besigye’s lead lawyer, was arrested after traveling to Uganda to observe the Lukwago court proceedings. However, authorities later deported her to Kenya.
Security forces are also said to have arrested activist Miria Matembe, journalist Timothy Kalyegira, National Unity Platform deputy president Muwanga Kivumbi and opposition supporter Andrew Nabimanya. Some revealed abuses suffered while in detention, such as humiliation by being forced to undress, pressure to provide DNA samples and repeated threats. Kalyegira was accused of using his digital platforms to leak confidential government information. In his opinion, this accusation is politically motivated because, as a whistleblower, he exposed corruption among high-ranking government officials.
The reported detentions come after Museveni’s approval UPDF Amendment ActLegislation allowing military courts to exercise jurisdiction over civilians in certain circumstances. Human rights groups have criticized the law for its role in undermining basic human rights, weakening constitutional independence and violating the decision of Attorney General v. Hon. Michael Kabazigurukathat decided that civilians could not be subjected to military trials.
Ugandan security forces have previously been criticized for their excessive use of force against civilians, including tear gas, pepper spray, arbitrary arrests and beatings.
HRW said the detentions may violate the law Uganda’s constitution and the state’s obligations under it African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rightsthe International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)and the Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
