The Ugandan government has announced a ban on live broadcasting and streaming of riots, what it describes as unlawful processions, and other violent incidents, citing security concerns ahead of the country’s forthcoming presidential election.
The directive, issued on Monday by the Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology, comes as President Yoweri Museveni seeks to extend his rule of nearly four decades in the 15 January poll. Authorities said unrestricted live coverage of violent events could inflame tensions and trigger public panic.
The ministry also warned against the circulation of content it considers inciting, hateful or violent, stating that such material would not be tolerated during the election period. In Uganda, security agencies frequently characterise anti-government demonstrations as riots.
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The election will again see Museveni, 81, face leading opposition challenger Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, a 43-year-old musician-turned-politician. In the weeks leading up to the vote, hundreds of opposition supporters have been arrested, according to official and opposition sources.
Memories of the 2021 election remain fresh, after more than 50 people were killed during security crackdowns on protests by Wine’s supporters. Museveni denied accusations at the time that the election was rigged.
Human rights organisations have renewed criticism of the government’s actions. Amnesty International said on Monday that security forces were carrying out what it described as a sustained campaign of repression against opposition supporters, including arbitrary arrests, beatings and torture. The government has consistently rejected such allegations.
Museveni, who took power in 1986 after leading a five-year insurgency, is Africa’s third-longest-serving head of state. Another prominent opposition figure, Kizza Besigye, remains in detention on treason charges more than a year after his arrest, charges he has denied.
Government and police officials had not responded to requests for comment on the allegations by the time of publication.
