RismadarVoice Reporters
January 23, 2026
Uganda’s army chief, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has claimed that at least 30 opposition supporters were killed, more than 2,000 people arrested following the country’s disputed general election.
Kainerugaba, who is the son of newly re-elected President Yoweri Museveni, made the claims on Friday in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), alleging that those targeted were supporters of opposition leader Bobi Wine and his National Unity Platform (NUP).
“We have arrested over 2,000 hooligans that Kabobi thought he would use,” Kainerugaba wrote, using a nickname for Wine. “So far we have killed 30 NUP terrorists,” he added.
The comments came amid heightened tension following the January 15 election, which saw President Museveni, 81, declared winner with 72 per cent of the vote, while Bobi Wine secured 25 per cent, according to the Electoral Commission.
Bobi Wine has rejected the results, describing the election as a “blatant theft”, and has called for nationwide protests. On Friday, he remained in hiding after accusing security forces of raiding his home in the aftermath of the vote.
The election has drawn criticism from African observers and international human rights organizations, who cited heavy repression of the opposition, election-day violence, and an internet shutdown.
Gen. Kainerugaba, 51, is known for his provocative social media posts, has openly expressed ambitions to succeed his father.
Earlier this week, he issued statements widely condemned by rights groups, including threats against Bobi Wine.
Among those arrested in recent days is Muwanga Kivumbi, an opposition lawmaker representing Butambala in central Uganda, one of the areas that recorded the most serious election-related violence.
Kivumbi told newsmen that security forces killed 10 of his campaign agents after storming his residence.
Police, however, said the victims were shot while attempting to burn down a vote-tallying centre and a police station, a claim disputed by opposition figures.
An opposition lawyer, Erias Lukwago, said on Wednesday that more than 600 people had already been arrested over post-election protests.
“In all the charges, our clients are denying them. Some say they were picked up from their homes by the police, locked up before appearing in court on charges they were not aware of,” Lukwago said.
