Chapter Four raises concerns about human rights and election violence in 2025

Nicholas Opiyo, Executive Director of Chapter Four Uganda, has expressed grave concern about the state of human rights and electoral integrity ahead of the 2026 Ugandan elections.

Citing a troubling history of arbitrary arrests, human rights abuses, voter intimidation and suppression of opposition politicians, Opiyo predicts that the upcoming election season could mirror or worsen previous cycles marred by violence and impunity.

A legacy of electoral violence and repression

Elections in Uganda have long been marred by allegations of state violence against the opposition. Prominent presidential candidates such as Dr. Kizza Besigye and Robert Kyagulani Ssentamu (Bobby Wine) have repeatedly been harassed during their campaigns.

Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, has survived pepper spray, gunshot wounds and terrorism charges, often accompanied by arbitrary arrests and detentions.

In November 2024, Ugandan security forces abducted Besigye and Haji Obeid Lutale from Kenya and charged them with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition before a military court. Opiyo highlights such incidents as signs of systemic arbitrariness by the security forces in dealing with the opposition in the elections.

Absence of responsibility for human rights violations

Opiyo highlights the continued lack of accountability for human rights abuses in Uganda. He points to unsolved incidents such as the Kasese killings in 2016, which left dozens dead, and victims of torture or enforced disappearances during past elections.

“There are too many people whose rights have been violated and who have not received justice,” he said.

He emphasizes the importance of holding perpetrators accountable, arguing that those who violate human rights must face individual consequences for their actions. “We want to reopen the issue of liability,” Opiyo said.

“Why do human rights abuses go unpunished and how can we ensure that this pattern ends?”

Concerns about the 2026 election climate

The approaching election season has many Ugandans feeling more anxious than hopeful, Opiyo said, underscoring the tense atmosphere created by the state’s actions.

“Every election season gives me goosebumps,” he observed, “because as day turns to night, we see signs of continued arbitrariness.”

He cited the suppression of peaceful protests, attacks on civil society and the media, and intimidation of opposition figures as recurring patterns.

“It breaks your heart when you see people disappearing, tortured or beaten for peaceful protests,” Opiyo said, predicting that the 2026 election could be worse than the previous one.

A call for election integrity and peace

Opiyo stressed the need to reflect on Uganda’s history of electoral violence in order to create a meaningful way forward.

“We must never allow elections to become episodes of violence,” he declared. He called for robust discussions on ensuring peaceful elections, increasing public participation and promoting transparency in legislation and electoral processes.

According to Opin, the fundamental principles of democracy — choice, the right to vote and the integrity of elections — must be protected. Only then, he said, can Uganda hope for elections that respect the will of its people and avoid the violence and repression that have marred its democratic journey.

A call for revision of the Constitution of Uganda

Opiyo expressed deep concern over the unfulfilled promises of Uganda’s 1995 constitution. Initially seen as a beacon of hope, the Constitution symbolized a commitment to peace, justice and democratic rule. However, Opiyo says the experience since its launch has revealed significant flaws and broken promises.

Undermined Constitution

Opiyo describes the Constitution as a “mere promissory note” that failed to deliver on its guarantees. It claims that its original safeguards have been systematically dismantled through dubious amendments that have weakened its basic structure.

“The fences in this Constitution have been removed,” he said, comparing the promises made to Ugandans to a “bounced cheque”.

Despite the clear provisions of the Constitution on protection, such as the recognition of torture as a crime, violations of which are not allowed.

“The constitution has failed to fulfill its promises,” Opiyo said, highlighting ongoing cases of disappearances, torture and violations of fundamental rights.

Revision of the Constitution

Opiyo believes it is high time Ugandans reassess the 1995 Constitution to ensure it can fulfill its intended role. It emphasizes the importance of strengthening key institutions, particularly the judiciary and the executive, to uphold constitutional values.

“The public must rise to the defense of these values,” he said, stressing that changes will not come voluntarily from the authorities. “The government does not give; the government is forced to give.”

He cites examples from Kenya where citizens actively participate in the legal process, attending court hearings and holding institutions accountable. According to Opiyo, such public participation is critical to demands for transparency and ensuring that institutions operate within the law.

Accountability of court officials

Opiyo also pointed to the judiciary as an area in need of major reforms. He criticized judges who undermine justice and human rights with their decisions.

“Those who detain peaceful protesters without reason, deny bail or make questionable decisions will face a moment of reckoning,” he warned.

He called for stronger oversight of judicial officials, stressing that accountability is essential to restoring confidence in the judicial system.

“Court officials who sign their names to questionable decisions should know that their records will eventually surface. At some point they will have to answer for their actions.”

A hostile environment for NGOs in Uganda

The aftermath of Uganda’s 2021 presidential election has seen a significant crackdown on civil society organizations, further exacerbating challenges for NGOs working in the country.

In August 2021, the National Bureau of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO Bureau) suspended the activities of 54 NGOs, citing reasons such as lack of valid permits, failure to submit annual and audited reports, and operating without registration.

According to Opiyo, the actions taken during and after the elections targeted the wider NGO sector with chilling effect. Organizations were shut down, bank accounts were frozen, and leaders were arrested. Major funders such as the Democratic Governance Foundation (DGF) were forced to cease operations, and individuals associated with NGO support were deported.

The impact of leaving the FGVFO

Until its closure in 2022, the FGVFD was an important source of funding for both government and non-government organizations, supporting 80 implementing partners across Uganda. During its four-year programme, the DGF has injected US$350 million (Sh1.3 trillion) into the Ugandan economy. Its withdrawal adversely affected countless people, communities and institutions dependent on its funding.

Opiyo stressed that the decision to cut off this financial lifeline has stalled progress at the local and national levels, affecting grassroots initiatives and governance projects. The sudden exit of the FGVFO created a vacuum in funding and support, forcing many organizations to struggle to sustain their activities.

The role of the NGO Bureau

Although the Bureau of NGOs is mandated to promote the development of the sector, Opiyo claims that its actions have had the opposite effect. He criticized the Bureau’s arbitrary and capricious administrative actions, including targeting limited liability companies under the guise of registration requirements.

“The hostile atmosphere leads to the bleeding of the NGO sector,” Opiyo noted.

He also pointed to the increasing pressure NGOs face from local district commissioners (RDCs), whose actions contribute to the decline of active organizations.

“The decrease in the number of NGOs is directly related to the very hostile atmosphere and administrative actions of the regulator,” he said.

Changing the narrative

Opiyo stressed the need to change the perception of civil society in Uganda. He argued that NGOs are too often viewed as security threats rather than development partners that contribute to the country’s progress.

“Civil society offers jobs, mobilizes resources around the world, creates jobs and drives innovation and new policies. They hold governments accountable, which strengthens democracy,” he said.

He called for a rethinking of the role of civil society, calling on the government to view NGOs as collaborators rather than adversaries.

Speaking about concerns about foreign funding, Opiyo dismissed the notion that receiving international financial support makes NGOs agents of foreign influence.

“If that were the case, the Ugandan government would be the biggest foreign agent in the country. Global funding is a reality and civil society should not be penalized for accessing it,” he said.

Narrating his harrowing experience in 2022, Opiyo detailed the hardships he faced after his organization was shut down and he was arrested.

The ordeal began in September 2022 when his home was broken into and personal items including a laptop, mobile phones and electronics were stolen. A few months later, in December 2022, Opiyo was arrested while having lunch at a restaurant in Kamwokia.

Fighting with legal means

Despite the closure of Uganda’s Fourth Chapter and the freezing of its bank accounts, Opiyo and his team filed a vigorous legal action against the NGO Bureau and the Attorney General.

“We fought. Chapter Four Uganda was shut down, our bank accounts were frozen, and I was arrested. But we mounted a strict court challenge and won the case,” he explained.

Their victory in court led to the resumption of the organization’s activities and the unfreezing of its accounts.

Transparency as a strategy

Opiyo stressed the role of transparency in countering the allegations leveled against Uganda’s Fourth Head.

“We have been completely transparent, because the lack of transparency sometimes raises suspicions,” he said.

The organization openly provided the authorities with its financial reports, detailing how funds were received and spent.

“When they looked into our accounting books, it became clear that we are a law-abiding institution. We were not involved in anything subversive,” said Opiyo, confirming the organization’s adherence to legal and ethical standards.

A combined approach

The re-opening of Uganda’s fourth chapter was only achieved through legal action. Opiyo attributed his success to a two-pronged approach: tough court battles combined with proactive accountability and transparency.

This strategy demonstrated the organization’s compliance with regulations and its commitment to legal activity.

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