UGANDA: Post-Election Death Toll Hits Double Digits As UPDF Goes Bare Knuckle
At least 12 people have been reported killed, with many injured, as a result of violent clashes between security personnel and opposition supporters in Uganda and Kampala following the recently ended general elections.
The violence began on election day, Thursday, January 16, in the evening, when supporters questioned the results at polling locations.
This resulted in confrontations that left families in grieving over their loved ones.
Butambala District became the epicenter of the violence, with seven persons suspected of supporting incumbent legislator Muhammed Muwanga Kivumbi, a close associate of Bobi Wine, allegedly shot dead by security forces.
At least 10 people died in violence-marred elections in Uganda, the opposition said Friday, as veteran leader Yoweri Museveni looked set to prolong his four-decade rule in a ballot that saw widespread repression and an internet blackout.https://t.co/v939gTTkyB pic.twitter.com/oiJoa55UhL
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) January 16, 2026
Regional Police Commander Lydia Katushabe confirmed the fatalities, claiming that violence erupted when supporters invaded vote-counting stations three times.
“They came with a jerrycan of fuel, sprinkled it in the office, and set it on fire. It happened so fast, we could not stop them,” revealed Commander Katushabe.
However, Kivumbi, who lost the Butambala County parliamentary contest to independent candidate Erias Mukiibi, has categorically denied these allegations.
During the same confrontation, three other victims were shot, and 25 people were arrested on charges of assaulting security personnel.
In addition to Butambala, five additional persons were killed in separate instances in Luweero and Kalungu districts on Thursday as a result of election-related violence.
More deaths have been reported since Election Day, despite the cowardly regime’s claim of only seven. Yet, more of our people have been brutally shot dead in cold blood by security forces.#FreeUgandaNow pic.twitter.com/HwhgURV78F
— SSEKABIRA PATRICK (@PSSEKABIR) January 17, 2026
Kampala’s Makindye Division turned into turmoil on Friday morning, January 16, as demonstrators blocked main highways with logs and rubbish before setting them on fire.
Luke Owoyesigyire, Deputy Spokesman for the Kampala Police, reported that security troops were deployed throughout the evening and night to restore order.
“Our teams are on the ground to address the disturbance. I cannot give a full assessment now because the operation is still ongoing,” stated Deputy spokesperson Owoyesigyiere.
In Kayunga District, supporters of National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Harriet Nakuwadde protested results showing National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Jackline Birungi leading.
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The protests turned violent when demonstrators attacked and set fire to NRM district offices, stealing more than Ush5 million, about Ksh500,000, intended for party agents.
Disturbing reports also emerged of armed men in military uniforms raiding polling stations along Entebbe Road, firing shots and fleeing with ballot boxes.
Provisional Presidential results released by the Election Commission of Uganda on Friday, January 16, one day after the hotly contested elections, revealed that out of 21.6 million registered voters, results show incumbent President Yoweri Museveni leading with 61.7 per cent of the votes, while Robert Kyagulanyi trails with 33.6 per cent of the total votes.
As tallying continues, heavy security remains deployed across affected areas while families count the cost of democracy in lives lost.
UGANDA: Post-Election Death Toll Hits Double Digits As UPDF Goes Bare Knuckle
