By Jumah Kakomo
As Uganda prepares for its 2026 general elections, the African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV), in partnership with the Coalition Against Torture (CAT), has voiced serious concerns over the persistent threat of torture, violence, and degrading treatment linked to the country’s electoral processes.
Samuel Herbert Nsubuga, Chief Executive Officer of ACTV, emphasized that while Uganda is a multi-party democracy that conducts general elections every five years, the electoral process remains marred by increasing incidents of violence and torture.
Nsubuga revealed a worrying trend in the number of torture cases documented during election years: a 52% increase in 2006, a 3% rise in 2011, and a 20% surge in 2021. He noted that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) issued a roadmap for the 2025/26 elections last year, yet the threat of violence and torture persists, as seen in the Kawempe North by-election held on March 13, 2025. During that by-election, five individuals, including journalists, sustained severe injuries due to violence.
Nsubuga also pointed to a growing problem of online harassment and bullying within political parties’ internal processes, compounding the threat to democratic participation and safety.
Robert Mugisha, a representative of the Coalition Against Torture, underscored that a torture-free and violence-free election should be the hallmark of any functioning democracy. “Torture and election-related violence have long-lasting effects on both primary and secondary victims,” he said. “A psychological assessment of survivors from the 2021 and 2022 elections showed that 71% experienced symptoms of trauma, including insomnia, major depression, anxiety disorders, and even sexual dysfunction.”
Alex Kigoye, head of programs at ACTV, urged the IEC to lead the development of a national framework to prevent election-related torture and violence. He also called on security agencies to uphold both constitutional and international human rights standards throughout the electoral process. “Errant officers responsible for violence must be held accountable to end the cycle of impunity,” Kigoye added.
In conclusion, ACTV and CAT are calling on all stakeholders citizens, political actors, security agencies, and electoral bodies to commit to a peaceful 2025/26 general election. They stressed the need to protect fundamental human rights, especially the right to vote and the right to freedom from torture and inhumane treatment.
