By Joe Udo
KAMPALA (CONVERSEER) – Uganda’s army chief has claimed that at least 30 opposition supporters were killed and about 2,000 people arrested following the country’s recent presidential election.
The comments were made on Friday by Muhoozi Kainerugaba, head of the Ugandan army and son of newly re-elected President Yoweri Museveni. The statements came amid growing domestic and international concern over post-election violence and repression.
Opposition leader Bobi Wine remained in hiding on Friday after accusing security forces of raiding his home following the January 15 vote. He described the election as a “brazen theft” and called on supporters to protest.
According to Uganda’s Electoral Commission, President Museveni, 81, secured a seventh term in office with 72 per cent of the vote, while Wine received 25 per cent. African election observers and international non-governmental organisations criticised the polls, citing heavy repression of opposition figures and widespread internet shutdowns.
In a series of posts on X, Kainerugaba said security forces had arrested “more than 2,000 thugs” allegedly linked to Wine, whom he referred to by a nickname. He also claimed that 30 members of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Wine’s party, had been killed, describing them as “terrorists”.
Kainerugaba, 51, is known for provocative and often inflammatory social media posts. He has publicly expressed his ambition to succeed his father and, earlier this week, threatened to hunt down and kill Wine. Some of his recent remarks about the opposition have also included sexist language.
Among those arrested in recent days is opposition lawmaker Muwanga Kivumbi, who represents Butambala in central Uganda, an area where some of the most serious election-day violence was reported.
Kivumbi told AFP that security forces killed ten members of his campaign team after raiding his home. Police, however, said his supporters were shot after attempting to set fire to a vote-counting centre and a police station.
An opposition lawyer said on Wednesday that more than 600 people had been arrested during post-election protests.
“In all cases, our clients deny the accusations,” lawyer Erias Lukwago told AFP. “Some say they were picked up at home by police and detained before appearing in court on charges they were not aware of.”
