Inspector General of Police and regime loyalist Kale Kayihura and seven senior police officers failed to appear in court 10 Aug to answer accusations of police brutality against opposition supporters in July. After lawyer 26 Aug issued petition challenging Kayihura’s prosecution, court 29 Aug halted proceedings. Govt 11 Aug said neither Uganda nor Sudan would contribute troops to regional protection force that UNSC 12 Aug authorised to deploy in S Sudan (see S Sudan). UNHCR reported at least 97,947 S Sudanese refugees arrived in Uganda between 1 July and 30 Aug.

Following flare-up in fighting in S Sudan capital Juba 7-11 July between govt forces and Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) former rebels, regional bloc Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) including Uganda 11 July proposed deploying intervention brigade in Juba; President Museveni later suggested forces should only deploy with Juba’s consent (see S Sudan). Museveni 23 July advised S Sudan President Kiir, visiting Uganda, to accept third party troops in S Sudan deployed under IGAD to protect senior Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) officials. UN Refugee Agency 26 July said almost 37,500 South Sudanese had crossed into Uganda since 7 July fleeing fighting, govt 9-10 July deployed troops along S Sudan border. Army convoy 14 July entered S Sudan to evacuate Ugandan citizens; army 20 July said 38,000 civilians, mostly Ugandans, had left S Sudan for Uganda since start of fighting. High Court released Kizza Besigye, leader of opposition Forum for Democratic Change, on bail 12 July pending trial for treason for staging his own presidential inauguration ceremony in May. Ruling National Resistance Movement district chairpersons 13 July resolved to support motion to remove constitutional age limit for president currently 75.

Security forces 7-10 June arrested 30 soldiers, including Entebbe air base commander, and opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) MP for allegedly planning coup; army court charged 22 soldiers and MP with treason 28 June. Unidentified gunmen 12 June attacked police station in northern Gulu killing two; govt dismissed rumours that rebels were responsible for raid and 27 May attack on Local Defence Unit in Opit, Gulu district. Army 10 June said it would withdraw most troops from AU Regional Task Force deployed in Central African Republic to counter rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), citing group’s reduced strength and insufficient international support.

Govt continued crackdown on opposition: security forces 3 May arrested over twenty officials of major opposition party Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and activists for “disobeying lawful orders” by attempting to hold prayer meeting at FDC HQ. FDC led march 5 May in defiance of court order, govt deployed army as preventive security measure, banned media coverage. FDC leader Kizza Besigye arrested 11 May after mock ceremony to swear in Besigye as “rightful” president; Besigye charged with treason and terrorism 13 May. President Museveni sworn in 12 May following Feb re-election; Sudanese President Bashir attended ceremony ignoring ICC arrest warrant, U.S. and EU diplomats left ceremony in protest.

Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) 7 April launched two-month Operation Usalama to stabilise W Rwenzori region after 50 people reported killed since end-Feb in post-election attacks targeting security forces, allegedly by Bakonzo ethnic militia linked to Rwenzori cultural kingdom and in clashes between Bakonzo and Bamba ethnic groups. At least two UPDF killed 3 April in clash between UPDF and Rwenzururu kingdom royal guards in Kasese town. UPDF 7-14 April arrested 163 suspected militia members in Kasese and Bundibugyo districts, Rwenzori region. Police 1 April ended 43-day house arrest of Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader Kizza Besigye, 5 April briefly detained him on way to FDC event.

Following President Museveni’s controversial Feb reelection, police and govt supporters clashed with opposition supporters early to mid-March: soldiers 10-11 March killed at least seven allegedly armed opposition supporters in western Kasese district, fifteen others reportedly killed in west, notably Bundibugyo district. Opposition presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi 1 March filed petition with Supreme Court to challenge election results; court 18 March demanded Electoral Commission hand over tally sheets to Mbabazi; presiding judges 31 March dismissed petition.

President Museveni re-elected 18 Feb in mostly peaceful presidential elections with some 60% of vote; poll marred by irregularities including late delivery of voting materials to some constituencies in and around Kampala. Main opposition candidate and runner-up Kizza Besigye briefly arrested multiple times during and after vote amid protests against alleged govt vote-rigging; held under house arrest during week following election. Police reportedly searched Besigye’s Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party HQ 22 Feb, arrested eight FDC members for alleged plans to incite violence. Six killed 27 Feb in violence around western Bundigubyo town after dispute related to announcement of local election results.

National and international human rights organisations 13 Jan called on govt to end recruitment into controversial “crime preventers” civilian militia. President Museveni 26 Jan received South Sudanese SPLM/A-IO leader Riek Machar, discussed South Sudan peace deal and relations between Sudan, South Sudan and Uganda. Security forces 31 Jan arrested former intelligence chief General David Sejusa for partisan political activity.

At least seventeen injured 13 Dec in clashes between supporters of President Museveni and pro-Mbabazi youth in Ntungamo; twenty arrested 21 Dec at Mbabazi party headquarters. Voters’ register released 15 Dec caused public controversy over its legality and accuracy, national ID registration, nomination of candidates. Clashes erupted 5 Dec along disputed border with South Sudan after some 300 SPLA soldiers crossed border into Uganda.

Internal Affairs Ministry 5 Nov announced deployment of 27 Joint Operation Centres made up of police, army, intelligence service and govt officials to over-ee Feb 2016 election security as official campaigning began.