UN Rights Office Cites ‘Widespread Repression’ in Uganda Before Next Week’s Presidential Election

The UN Human Rights Office said Friday that a presidential election in Uganda next week would be “marked by widespread repression and intimidation” against the opposition and others. 
  
Ugandan authorities in the East African country have used lawfare, including military legislation, to restrict the activities of politicians and others before voting on Jan. 15, the Geneva-based Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, or OHCHR, said in a new report. 
  
“Next week’s elections in Uganda will take place in an environment marked by widespread repression and intimidation against the political opposition, human rights defenders, journalists, and those with dissenting views,” OHCHR said. 
  
Ugandan police, the military, and others have used live ammunition to disperse peaceful assemblies, and the security forces have often used unmarked vans known locally as “drones” to abduct opposition party supporters, the report said. 
  
The report also cites the ongoing detention of opposition figure Kizza Besigye, who is accused of treason, and Sarah Bireete, a prominent civic leader who is accused of obtaining unlawful access to the national voters’ registry.  
   
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