The United Nations Human Rights Office has expressed deep concern over recent developments in Uganda, warning that restrictions on internet access and the suspension of ten non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on the eve of national elections pose a serious threat to democratic participation.
In a public statement, the UN Human Rights Office emphasized that open and unrestricted access to communication and information is a cornerstone of free, fair, and credible elections. Measures that limit citizens’ ability to communicate, access information, or engage freely in civic activities risk undermining public trust in the electoral process and weakening democratic institutions.
According to the UN, the suspension of NGOs many of which play critical roles in civic education, election observation, human rights monitoring, and community mobilization raises particular concern. Civil society organizations are widely recognized as essential actors in promoting transparency, accountability, and peaceful participation during elections. Their absence, especially at such a sensitive moment, could significantly narrow the space for independent voices and oversight.
The reported internet restrictions have also drawn sharp criticism. In the modern electoral context, digital platforms are vital tools for accessing news, sharing information, organizing peacefully, and reporting irregularities. Curtailing internet access, even temporarily, can disproportionately affect journalists, observers, civil society actors, and ordinary citizens seeking to participate meaningfully in public affairs.
The UN Human Rights Office stressed that all Ugandans must be able to take part freely in shaping their future and that of their country. This includes the right to seek, receive, and impart information without interference, as well as the freedom of association and peaceful assembly rights enshrined in international human rights law and in Uganda’s own constitutional framework.
As Uganda approaches the polls, the UN has called on authorities to ensure that human rights are fully respected throughout the electoral period. This includes lifting unnecessary restrictions, safeguarding civic space, and creating an environment in which voters, media, and civil society can operate without fear or obstruction.
The credibility of the electoral process, the UN warns, depends not only on the act of voting itself but also on the broader conditions that allow citizens to make informed choices and express their will freely.
