Uganda Cracks Down on Online Critics: Detentions, Alleged Abductions, and Defiance

In Uganda, individuals using social media to voice criticism against powerful political and military figures are facing severe risks, including detention and alleged abductions. Praise Aloikin Opoloje, detained since September 26, 2026, was charged with the unlawful use of a SIM card registered in her mother’s name. She denies the charge, stating her detention followed a video where she declared fearlessness towards military chief General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Opoloje alleges she was lured to a police station, beaten, and threatened by men who claimed they would show her what happens to those who insult the president. Despite these alleged threats and mistreatment, which could not be independently verified, Opoloje remains defiant, stating she will continue speaking out upon her release. She was later granted bail on October 14, with court permission required for international travel, but the criminal charge against her remains.

The situation is echoed in the case of Emmanuel Baliza, whose 17-year-old son, William, has been missing since February. Emmanuel claims armed men abducted William after the teenager expressed intentions to protest police brutality and the education system. William was allegedly taken by men in military uniforms in a Toyota HiAce van, with authorities denying his detention. His sister reported William posted on TikTok, stating, “Uganda is bleeding.”

Journalist Andrew Tabandama Natumanya also faced scrutiny and alleged mistreatment after reporting on a security operation involving properties linked to former Parliament Speaker Anita Among. Natumanya posted real-time updates on X, formerly Twitter, about the operation, which involved investigations into corruption allegations. He claims he was lured to a washing bay, assaulted, stripped, and photographed by armed personnel who warned him against continuing his online reporting. Detained for five days, he was released on bail but alleges ongoing intimidation affecting his family and their businesses. Despite these experiences, Natumanya vows to continue reporting, stating, “I will not delete my (posts). I will change tactics, but continue stating facts.” His account of abuse has not been independently verified.

Lawyer Steven Atukwatse of the Agora Research Center notes that many social media users, particularly on TikTok and X, are charged under Uganda’s Computer Misuse Act, often for criticizing President Museveni or his son. He describes cases where families struggle to locate detained relatives, who are sometimes released without formal withdrawal of charges, leaving them in a state of uncertainty. Atukwatse highlights the difficulty in pursuing mistreatment allegations due to the imbalance of evidence between prosecutors and defense lawyers.

Army spokesperson Colonel Chris Magezi stated that allegations of unlawful conduct require evidence and that the military operates within the law. He rejected suggestions of unlawful disappearances, asserting that suspects are brought before courts and that social media is monitored. He also pointed to defamation laws as a basis for arrest if statements cannot be substantiated.