The post-election climate in Uganda is descending into verbal and physical violence. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, army chief and son of President Yoweri Museveni, openly claimed responsibility on Friday for the deaths of 30 supporters of Bobi Wine, his father's main rival in the January 15th election.

An open crackdown on social media

In a series of provocative posts on the X platform, General Kainerugaba, 51, did not mince words. Calling members of the National Unity Platform (NUP) "terrorists," he stated:

1. Human toll: 30 opposition supporters killed.
2. Mass arrests: More than 2,000 "thugs" apprehended.
3. Direct threats: The president's son, tipped to succeed him, reiterated his desire to hunt down Bobi Wine, accompanying his remarks with sexist comments.

Bobi Wine denounces a "shameless theft"

For his part, Bobi Wine remains entrenched. After denouncing massive fraud and an illegal search of his home by security forces, the opposition leader is contesting the official results. According to the Electoral Commission, Yoweri Museveni (81 years old) won a seventh term with 72% of the vote, compared to 25% for his rival.

Violence and conflicting accounts

Tensions are particularly high in the center of the country, especially in Butambala:

1. On the opposition side: MP Muwanga Kivumbi reports that ten of his campaign workers were killed during an attack on his home.
2. From the authorities' perspective: The police maintain that these individuals were killed while attempting to set fire to a police station and a polling station.

An electoral process under fire

The organization of the election was strongly condemned by international observers and NGOs. They pointed the finger at:

1. The complete shutdown of internet access during the vote.
2. A brutal and systematic repression of dissenting voices.
3. Arbitrary arrests, with lawyer Erias Lukwago stating that many detainees are being prosecuted for reasons they are not even aware of.