Uganda’s army chief, Lieutenant General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, said Friday that 30 opposition supporters have been killed and 2,000 people detained following last week’s election.
Kainerugaba, who is also the son of President Yoweri Museveni, made the claim in a post on X, describing those arrested as “hooligans” allegedly linked to opposition leader Bobi Wine.
“We have arrested over 2,000 hooligans that Kabobi thought he would use,” he wrote, using a nickname for Wine. “So far we have killed 30 NUP terrorists,” he added, referring to Wine’s National Unity Platform party.
The announcement comes amid widespread concern over the crackdown on opposition activity after the January 15 vote, which declared Museveni the winner with 72 per cent of the vote, while Wine secured 25 per cent, according to the Electoral Commission.
Wine has rejected the result as a “blatant theft” and has called for protests. He has remained in hiding after accusing security forces of raiding his home following the election.
The election was marred by heavy repression, internet shutdowns, and reports of violence, drawing criticism from African observers and international NGOs.
Among those detained is opposition lawmaker Muwanga Kivumbi from the Butambala area, where serious election-day violence was reported. Kivumbi told AFP that security forces killed 10 of his campaign agents after storming his home. Police, however, said the supporters were shot after attempting to burn down a vote-tallying centre and police station.
Opposition lawyer Erias Lukwago said more than 600 people had been arrested over protests, adding that many detainees were unaware of the charges against them.
“In all the charges, our clients are denying them,” he said. “Some say they were picked up from their homes by the police and locked up before appearing in court.”
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