(KAMPALA, UGANDA) – As millions of Ugandans head to polling stations on Thursday to choose their leaders, several candidates, mainly from the Opposition National Unity Platform party, will mark election day from prison.
Unable to cast ballots themselves, the detained candidates rely on family members, party officials, and supporters to campaign, mobilise voters, and safeguard ballots. Supporters describe this situation as a referendum on alleged state repression.
Most of those detained were arrested either before nomination or during the campaign season. Opposition leaders and human rights organisations argue that the arrests are politically motivated, intended to weaken challengers ahead of the vote.
Among those affected is Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, the NUP parliamentary candidate for Nakawa East and the party’s deputy spokesperson. Arrested on September 8, 2025, just days before nomination, he faces charges of unlawful drills and conspiracy to commit a felony. He has remained on remand, with his case still pending.
The Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court is expected to rule on his mandatory bail application on January 22, a week after the elections. Despite his absence, Mr Mufumbiro was nominated and campaigned for by a team led by his twin brother, Kenneth Kato Mufumbiro, who has organised rallies, door-to-door mobilisation, and vote-protection efforts.
“The government thought keeping him in prison would sweep him out of the political scene, but people are angry,” said Mr Kato. “We are turning this into a vote of no confidence.”
Mr Mufumbiro is vying to replace Ronald Balimwezo, who vacated the Nakawa East seat to run for Kampala Lord Mayor. His rivals include Michael Kabaziguruka of the People’s Front for Freedom, Fred Ruhindi of the ruling National Resistance Movement, Winfred Nakandi of the Democratic Front, and Moses Okwera Mugisha of the Forum for Democratic Change.
In Eastern Uganda, Samuel Mugeni Makokha, the PFF parliamentary candidate for Busia Municipality, will also spend election day in detention. He was arrested last month and remanded to Luzira Prison on treason charges linked to alleged plots to overthrow the government between 2023 and 2024.
At the local government level, several councillor candidates are also in custody. Doreen Kaijja, the NUP Nakawa East LC5 Woman Councillor candidate and head of the party’s school of leadership, was arrested alongside other supporters over charges of unlawful drills, conspiracy to commit a felony, and wearing uniforms resembling those of the armed forces.
Saudah Madaada, an Independent councillor candidate in Kampala Central, is among those detained. NUP officials said other party candidates and supporters have allegedly been abducted and not produced in court, including Fostin Wanikina, the Butiru Constituency MP candidate, and Dennis Mukiibi, Kawempe South Lord Councillor candidate.
With candidates locked away, families and party loyalists have stepped in to maintain campaigns. Irene Kaijja, sister of Doreen Kaijja, said joint efforts have portrayed the detained candidates as political prisoners.
“We have gone to court more than five times and applied for bail three times, but it has been deliberately denied. These arrests are intended to weaken the Opposition,” she said. She added that campaigning without the candidate has been challenging, especially in areas unfamiliar with her sister, but voter response has been largely sympathetic.
“People are welcoming us. We believe we can still win overwhelmingly and shame the regime,” Ms Kaijja added.
The Electoral Commission has nominated 83,597 candidates to contest 45,505 positions across national and local government levels.
