Why Uganda Writers Fear The State During Election Season
By Darius Spearman (africanelements)
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The Weight of a Violent History
Uganda is a nation where the past never truly stays in the past. To understand why writers and activists today live in fear, one must look back at the 1970s. During the rule of Idi Amin, the state created the State Research Bureau. This was an agency that operated outside the law to hunt down anyone who disagreed with the government. Intellectuals and journalists were the primary targets of this state-led terror (wikipedia.org).
During this era, a terrifying phrase entered the local language: “Panda gari.” In Swahili, this means “get in the car.” It referred to military trucks that would round up thousands of people without any charges. Many of those who were forced into these trucks were never seen again. Historians estimate that as many as 300,000 people died during Amin’s time in power. This history of violence created a deep scar in the collective memory of the Ugandan people (adst.org).
The Bush War and the Promise of Change
After the fall of Amin, the country hoped for peace. However, the 1980 election was widely seen as stolen by Milton Obote. This led a young rebel leader named Yoweri Museveni to start a guerrilla conflict known as the Bush War. The war lasted from 1981 to 1986 and caused massive displacement in the Luwero Triangle. Museveni’s army eventually took control of the capital, promising a “fundamental revolution” for the people (grokipedia.com).
The history of the Bush War is still used today to keep the current government in power. The ruling party often reminds the public of the chaos that existed before 1986. They frame any opposition as a threat to the stability they fought to achieve. This narrative makes it difficult for new political movements to grow. Many citizens feel that the state uses this political strategy to justify holding onto power for forty years (nonviolent-conflict.org).
Building the Architecture of Control
Once in power, the new regime created the “Movement” system. This was a “no-party” political model where all citizens were considered members of the same group. Political parties were not allowed to field candidates or hold rallies for nearly two decades. The state argued that this system would prevent ethnic divisions. However, critics saw it as a way to destroy any organized opposition (fes.de).
Even though the country returned to a multi-party system in 2005, the old rules still linger. The concept of “individual merit” is often used to pull politicians away from opposition groups. Today, the state also uses the Public Order Management Act to stop people from gathering in the streets. This law gives the police massive power to shut down any meeting that they do not like. This structure makes it very hard for activists to reach the public without facing arrest (tandfonline.com).
Writing as a Frontline of Resistance
Writers in Uganda have a long history of standing up to the state. In the 1960s, the government shut down literary magazines for being too critical. This tradition of using the pen to fight power continues today. Modern authors face severe consequences for their words. For example, Kakwenza Rukirabashaija was a novelist who won international awards. He was arrested and tortured for writing satires that mocked the president and his son (pen-international.org).
Another powerful voice is Dr. Stella Nyanzi. She used a method called “radical rudeness” to speak truth to power. This is a traditional Ugandan strategy of using graphic language and insults to shame leaders who do not listen. Nyanzi was sent to prison for eighteen months because of a poem she wrote about the president. Her case shows that the state is very afraid of writers who refuse to be polite about the problems in the country (lareviewofbooks.org).
The Digital Frontline and Censorship
As technology changes, the methods of state control change too. The Computer Misuse Act is now the primary tool used to silence writers online. This law makes it a crime to share “offensive communication.” This is a very vague term that the state uses to arrest anyone who posts criticism on social media. Some people have been sentenced to ten years in prison for their digital posts (indexoncensorship.org).
During the 2026 election, the state took even more extreme steps. They shut down the internet completely to prevent people from organizing. Since Facebook has been banned for several years, people had moved to apps like TikTok and X. The state monitors these platforms closely. Young people who use the internet to expose corruption are often targeted. This digital crackdown is meant to ensure that the notion of freedom does not lead to actual change (cpj.org).
The 2026 General Election Crisis
The election held on January 15, 2026, was one of the most tense in the history of the country. President Museveni ran for his seventh term in office. On January 17, he was declared the winner with over 71 percent of the vote. His main rival, Bobi Wine, received about 24 percent. However, many people questioned the fairness of the vote. International observers noted that the competition was not equal because the state used its resources to help the incumbent (news.cn).
The voting process itself faced many technical problems. In major cities, the machines used to verify voters failed to work. This forced officials to use paper registers, which some people believe allowed for cheating. Furthermore, the turnout was the lowest since the country returned to multi-party politics. Only about half of the registered voters showed up. This shows a growing sense of frustration among the public (wikipedia.org).
The Return of Modern “Drones”
While the “Panda gari” trucks of the past are gone, they have been replaced by “drones.” These are unmarked white vans used by security forces to abduct opposition supporters. These vans often pull up in broad daylight and snatch people off the street. Those who are taken are usually held in “safe houses.” These are secret detention centers that are not authorized by the law (africauncensored.online).
Inside these safe houses, prisoners are often kept incommunicado. This means they cannot talk to their families or lawyers. Human rights groups have documented many cases of torture in these hidden locations. Even though the government denies using these places for abuse, former officials have admitted they exist. This system creates a constant state of fear for anyone who wants to protest (independent.co.ug).
The Rise of Bobi Wine
Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has changed the political landscape. He was a popular musician before he entered politics in 2017. He uses his music to reach young people who feel ignored by the older leaders. His “People Power” movement has become the biggest threat to the current regime. He speaks about the law, human rights, and economic justice (wikipedia.org).
The state has responded to Bobi Wine with extreme violence. In 2018, his driver was shot dead by security forces. Wine himself was arrested and allegedly tortured in military custody. Despite these attacks, he continues to lead the National Unity Platform. During the 2026 election, he told his supporters not to let the state suffocate their voices. He remains a symbol of resistance for the youth demographic (wikipedia.org).
Gen-Z and the March to Parliament
A new generation of Ugandans is no longer afraid of the old stories from the Bush War. These young people, known as Gen-Z, are very tech-savvy. They use TikTok and VPNs to bypass government blocks on the internet. In mid-2024, they organized a “March to Parliament” to protest against corruption. This movement was inspired by similar youth-led protests in Kenya (indexoncensorship.org).
The state reacted to these young protesters with massive force. Over 150 people were arrested and charged with being a “common nuisance.” The government also used ad hoc militias to help the police control the crowds. However, the energy of the youth movement has not disappeared. They continue to use digital campaigns to expose the lavish lifestyles of political elites (nonviolent-conflict.org).
The Muhoozi Project and Succession
One of the biggest concerns for the future is the role of the president’s son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba. He is currently the head of the army. Many people believe there is a plan to have him take over the presidency from his father. This is often called the “Muhoozi Project.” Muhoozi has used social media to declare his ambitions, even though soldiers are not supposed to be involved in politics (youtube.com).
Muhoozi is a controversial figure who has threatened neighboring countries. In 2022, he tweeted about invading Kenya, which caused a diplomatic crisis. He has also used violent language against Bobi Wine, once saying he would “behead” him. These actions have worried leaders across East Africa. If the transition of power is not handled correctly, it could cause instability in the entire region (afrinz.ru).
Transnational Repression and Regional Collusion
The reach of the Ugandan state now goes beyond its own borders. There is a growing trend of “transnational repression” in East Africa. This happens when the Ugandan government works with other countries to kidnap critics who have fled. In November 2024, the opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye was abducted in Nairobi, Kenya. He was then brought back to Uganda to face a military court (africauncensored.online).
Earlier that year, thirty-six members of another opposition group were arrested in Kenya and deported. These operations usually happen without any formal legal process. This shows that dissidents are no longer safe even if they leave the country. This collusion between security agencies makes it very difficult for activists to find refuge anywhere in the region (independent.co.ug).
International Relations and the Role of Aid
The relationship between Uganda and the United States is complicated. The United States provides millions of dollars in military aid to the Ugandan army. This is because the Ugandan military is a key partner in fighting terrorism in Somalia. However, this partnership is often criticized. Human rights groups say that US-funded training is being used to repress citizens at home (nonviolent-conflict.org).
The administration of Donald Trump has expressed concerns about these issues. The US government has placed sanctions on high-ranking Ugandan officials for corruption and rights abuses. For instance, the Speaker of Parliament was sanctioned in 2025. Despite these tensions, the security relationship remains strong. This creates a difficult situation where the state feels it can continue its crackdowns while still receiving international support (afrinz.ru).
A Shaky Peace and the Path Forward
As the country moves past the 2026 election, the atmosphere is described as “eerily calm.” This is not a peace built on agreement, but one built on intimidation. The state has managed to “deep freeze” civic expression for the time being. However, experts warn that the underlying problems of corruption and poverty have not been solved. This makes the country like a pressure cooker that could explode in the future (freedomhouse.org).
The writers and activists who continue to speak out are the only ones keeping the conversation alive. Even with the threat of the Computer Misuse Act and the “drones,” they refuse to be silent. The history of Uganda shows that while states can be powerful, the desire for freedom is very hard to kill. The struggle for democracy in the Pearl of Africa continues, even as the walls of repression close in (freedomhouse.org).
About the Author
Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching for over 20 years. He is the founder of African Elements, a media platform dedicated to providing educational resources on the history and culture of the African diaspora. Through his work, Spearman aims to empower and educate by bringing historical context to contemporary issues affecting the Black community.
