Uganda: Ankole Opposition Vows to Persist Despite Alleged Political Intimidation

What the report says

Opposition activists in Uganda’s Ankole sub-region say they will continue backing their parties despite claims of intimidation, political persecution and efforts by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) to draw opposition figures into its ranks. The report, published by Nile Post and distributed by AllAfrica, says the activists are pushing for peaceful political coexistence and more room for democratic activity.

Ankole is described as an NRM stronghold. The article cites 2026 election figures showing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni winning 91.96% of the presidential vote in the sub-region, while the NRM took most local offices, including the majority of directly elected parliamentary seats, all district woman representative seats and all district chairperson positions, as well as the Mbarara City mayoral race.

The piece highlights the defeat of former Buhweju County MP Francis Mwijukye, who lost his seat to NRM candidate Zadok Mutekanga. Mwijukye argued that opposition politics remains important for accountability and said pressure on activists could weaken political structures. His comments reflected wider concerns among opposition supporters about fear, exile and imprisonment of critics.

At the grassroots, National Unity Platform regional coordinator Bright Muhumuza said opposition politics is driven by public issues rather than individual leaders. Legal and political commentators quoted in the report also linked the mood in the region to dissatisfaction, generational exclusion, nepotism and corruption, while the broader debate centered on whether Uganda’s opposition still has meaningful space to organize in areas dominated by the ruling party.