Democracy in Name Only: Global Issues

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, January 26 (IPS) – When Ugandans went to the polls on 15 January, the outcome was never in doubt. As voting began, mobile internet services ground to a halt, ensuring minimal scrutiny as President Yoweri Museveni secured his seventh consecutive term. far from offering democratic choice, the vote reinforced one of Africa’s longest-running presidencies, providing a veneer of democratic legitimacy while stifling competition.

Four decades in power

Museveni’s four-decade grip on power began with the Bush War, a guerrilla conflict that brought him to office in 1986. Single-party rule lasted for almost two decades, deemed necessary for national reconstruction. The 1995 constitution granted parliament and the judiciary autonomy and introduced a two-term presidential limit and age cap of 75,but maintained the ban on political parties.

With one-party rule increasingly called into question, Museveni restored multi-party politics in 2005. However, he simultaneously orchestrated a constitutional amendment to remove term limits. In 2017 he abolished the age restriction,allowing him to run for a sixth term in 2021.

Recent elections have been marked by state violence. museveni’s 2021 campaign against opposition challenger Bobi Wine was defined by government brutality, with over a hundred people killed in protests following Wine’s arrest in November 2020. Another opposition leader, Kizza Besigye, has been arrested or detained more than a thousand times over the years.

Museveni promoted his son,Muhoozi Kainerugaba,to Chief of Defense Forces in 2024. Kainerugaba has openly boasted on social media about torturing political opponents,reflecting a regime that no longer bothers to conceal its brutality.His rise signals a potential hereditary handover.

Civic space shutdown

In the face of a credible opposition challenge, this year’s election required more than constitutional tinkering: it demanded the systematic restriction of civic space. the Trump administration’s dissolution of USAID in early 2025 helped Museveni here,as it was catastrophic for Ugandan civil society. uganda’s 2021 Presidential Election and Subsequent Challenges

The 2021 Ugandan presidential election, which saw incumbent Yoweri Museveni win a sixth term, was heavily disputed. The election was marked by widespread violence, restrictions on opposition candidates, and allegations of ballot stuffing and voter intimidation.

Following the election, opposition leader Bobi Wine, whose official name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, challenged the results in the Supreme Court. Though, in February 2021, the court dismissed the petition, citing insufficient evidence. Reuters reported on the dismissal and the opposition’s continued claims of fraud.

Yoweri Museveni’s Continued Presidency

Yoweri Museveni has been President of Uganda as 1986. His long tenure has been characterized by relative stability, but also increasing authoritarianism and restrictions on political freedoms.

in December 2017, the Ugandan Parliament removed presidential age limits, paving the way for Museveni to run for another term, despite being over the previous age restriction of 75. This decision was widely criticized by the opposition and international observers as a move to consolidate power.

Restrictions on Political Opposition and Civil society

Uganda has seen a meaningful crackdown on political opposition and civil society organizations in recent years.The government has been accused of using security forces to suppress dissent and restrict freedom of assembly.

In september 2023,human Rights Watch documented a pattern of abuses by Ugandan security forces, including arbitrary arrests, detention, and torture of opposition supporters and journalists. The report highlighted concerns about the shrinking space for civil society and the increasing restrictions on freedom of expression.

The Role of Social Media and Internet Access

The Ugandan government has repeatedly restricted access to social media platforms, particularly during election periods, citing concerns about the spread of misinformation and incitement to violence.

During the 2021 election, internet access was shut down for several days, hindering communication and access to details. Access Now documented the impact of the shutdown on businesses, civil society, and the ability of citizens to monitor the election.

International Response and Concerns

International organizations and governments have expressed concerns about the political situation in Uganda, calling for greater respect for human rights and democratic principles.

The United States State Department, in its 2023 Country Report on Human Rights Practices, detailed significant human rights issues in Uganda, including restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly, and association, and also reports of security force abuses. The report urged the Ugandan government to investigate and prosecute those responsible for human rights violations.

As of January 26, 2026, there are no reports of significant changes to the political situation in Uganda. The concerns regarding democratic processes and human rights remain prevalent, and the country continues to face challenges in upholding the rule of law and ensuring a level playing field for political participation.