The Director for External Affairs of the ruling National Resistance Movement, Awich Pollar, has defended the heavy security deployment witnessed across Uganda during the recently concluded general elections, saying it was intended to maintain order rather than interfere with the electoral process.
Speaking during Next Big Talk hosted by Next Radio, Pollar said the nationwide presence of security personnel was necessary to ensure stability during the voting period.
“There was extensive deployment across the country during the elections, but it was not intended to interfere with the electoral process,” he said.
Pollar also addressed concerns about alleged human rights violations raised by international actors, noting that not all such cases fall under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.
“Not all human rights violations are addressed at the international level. Under the Rome Statute; the law governing the ICC, only certain violations are covered,” he said.
He further pointed to the presence of international observer missions, including teams from the European Union, whose preliminary assessments of the voting process he described as generally positive.
However, the European Parliament later issued a resolution condemning what it termed widespread intimidation, harassment, and arbitrary detention of opposition figures following the polls held nationwide on January 15, 2026.
During a plenary session, Members of the European Parliament raised concerns that the elections were “marred by abuses, widespread intimidation, fraud, violence and a nationwide internet blackout.”
The resolution specifically referenced the treatment of opposition leaders, including Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, leader of the National Unity Platform, and veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye.
Lawmakers called for the immediate and unconditional release of those arbitrarily detained after the elections and urged Ugandan authorities to end the use of military trials against civilians, implement constitutional safeguards in judicial processes, and disclose the whereabouts of missing persons.
The Parliament also called for independent investigations into alleged crimes against humanity and urged the European Union and its member states to review cooperation with Uganda to ensure alignment with democratic principles.
The international response followed developments involving Kyagulanyi, who had earlier spoken at the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, where he raised concerns similar to those outlined in the European Parliament resolution.
In a video posted on his social media platforms, Kyagulanyi announced he would temporarily leave Uganda to engage members of the Ugandan diaspora and the international community on issues surrounding the election outcome.
“I am announcing my brief exit from the country to handle important work. Over the next few weeks, I will engage with our friends in the diaspora before returning to Uganda to continue the push for freedom and democracy,” he said.
During his absence, Kyagulanyi appointed Lina Zedriga Waru as the party’s acting president.
Kyagulanyi, who has rejected the election results, has accused the Electoral Commission of Uganda of manipulating the process. He has also alleged that results were announced without the mandatory Declaration of Results forms, although no substantial evidence has been publicly presented to support the claims.
Government officials have consistently denied allegations of political persecution. The Minister for Information and Communications Technology and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi, said the state has no intention of arresting or harming the opposition leader.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja also urged Kyagulanyi to return home, while security agencies maintain that deployments around his Magere residence are intended to prevent public disorder.
According to official results released by the Electoral Commission, incumbent President Yoweri Museveni was declared winner with 7,946,772 votes, representing 71.65 percent of the total valid votes. Kyagulanyi received 2,741,238 votes, accounting for 24.72 percent.
