Former Supreme Court justice Esther Kitimbo Kisaakye has raised serious concerns over what she describes as an intensifying crackdown on opposition figures and their supporters following Uganda’s January 14 general elections.
In a statement posted on X on Sunday, Justice Kisaakye directly challenged President Museveni, questioning whether the wave of arrests, abductions, and reported attacks on opposition leaders could occur without his knowledge or approval as Head of State and Commander-in-Chief.
“Can all of the above be happening without your knowledge or consent?” she asked, adding: “If repression exists, legitimacy is in question.”
President Museveni was declared the winner of the presidential election on January 17, securing 71.65 per cent of the vote, according to the Electoral Commission. But since the announcement, opposition leaders and supporters have reported heavy-handed security operations.
Justice Kisaakye cited the ongoing siege of NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, who has reportedly been forced into hiding for his safety since the elections. She also highlighted the arrest and terrorism charges against NUP vice president for the Central Region, Hon Muwanga Kivumbi, which she says contradicts earlier reports of an armed attack on his home on election night that allegedly left several people dead.
She further claimed that two other NUP vice presidents—Dr Lina Zedriga (Northern Region) and Ms Jolly Tukamushaba (Western Region)—have been abducted, with their whereabouts currently unknown. Justice Kisaakye also drew attention to the detention of veteran opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye, who is reportedly being denied access to medical care.
Among other concerns, the former justice mentioned the imprisonment of Catholic priest Fr Ssekabira over alleged links to Mr Kyagulanyi, the de-licensing of civil society organisations, and the arrest of activists such as Ms Sarah Birete on what she described as questionable charges.
“Many other Ugandan citizens are missing or in unlawful detention for their political views or for supporting opposition candidates,” she wrote.
Justice Kisaakye, who served on the Supreme Court for more than a decade before retiring, said she now lives in exile, along with other Ugandans who fled the country for safety. She cited Uganda Law Society president Isaac Ssemakadde as among those forced abroad.
She also criticised the Internet shutdown during the election, saying the vote was “secured in darkness,” and argued that a genuinely won election would not require repression.
“If you genuinely won this election, why prevent opposition leaders from using lawful and constitutional means to challenge the election results if they wish to?” she asked.
In her statement, Justice Kisaakye urged President Museveni to restore constitutional governance, end abuses by security forces, halt the labelling of political opponents as terrorists, and stop abductions and violence.
“Uganda deserves dignity. Uganda deserves justice. Uganda deserves peace,” she wrote, signing off with the national motto: “For God and my country.”
The government has defended post-election security operations as necessary to maintain law and order, with President Museveni and senior security officials accusing some opposition actors of inciting violence—claims strongly denied by the opposition.