Human rights defenders have raised alarm over the risk of violence in Uganda ahead of the next election, warning that civilians could be targeted if urgent international action is not taken.

In a statement posted on X on Friday, January 9, 2026, the rights group said early signs point to possible unrest, calling on global bodies to act before the situation worsens. The warning comes amid growing political tension in the country as election preparations begin.

The rights defenders said the concern is not abstract but based on patterns seen in previous election cycles, where security operations and armed groups were blamed for widespread abuses. They urged international institutions to shift from issuing alerts to taking firm steps that could deter violence and protect ordinary citizens.

“As violence against civilians looms, we demand the UN system move beyond warnings to a clear pathway toward criminal accountability. The UN, International Criminal Court, African Union & international partners must closely monitor Uganda’s top military officers and state-backed criminal vigilante groups, including so-called ‘Ghetto Structures,’ reportedly being mobilised nationwide to provoke chaos, instigate riots, and justify violent crackdowns,” the statement reads.

Monitoring is critical

The group said such monitoring is critical to prevent a repeat of past election-related violence, where communities were left traumatized and victims struggled to find justice. They argued that failure to act early sends a dangerous signal to those who may be planning abuses, encouraging them to believe they will face no consequences.

They also pointed to a long history of unresolved violations, saying delayed or weak responses have allowed patterns of abuse to continue unchecked. According to the defenders, accountability must begin before violence breaks out, not after lives have been lost.

“Past inaction has only emboldened abuses, arbitrary detentions, and bloodshed. There is an urgent need to document names, chains of command, and orders, and to preserve every piece of evidence. Consequences must be made clear,” the statement reads.

The statement places responsibility on both domestic and international actors, stressing that early documentation and scrutiny could help prevent escalation. The rights defenders said ordinary Ugandans, especially young people and opposition supporters, often bear the brunt of election-related violence and deserve protection.