Uganda: Increasingly Constrained Civic Space for Election Observation

Civic Space Status: Repressed

Uganda represents one of the most restrictive and systematically controlled environments for citizen election observation in Africa, scoring within the repressed category across multiple dimensions of civic space. While legal provisions formally recognize the role of civil society, in practice these frameworks are selectively enforced and weaponized to suppress independent electoral oversight.

The regulatory environment is marked by burdensome registration requirements, intrusive oversight by the NGO Bureau, and the use of broad legal instruments—including the NGO Act (2016) and Public Order Management Act—to restrict civic action. In the lead-up to the 2021 elections, several key observer platforms, including the National Election Watch Uganda (NEW-U), were shut down, while major civil society organizations had their licenses suspended or bank accounts frozen, effectively dismantling coordinated domestic observation efforts.

Administratively, Uganda falls within the repressed spectrum, where accreditation processes are inconsistent, delayed, or selectively applied. Domestic observers face discriminatory treatment compared to international missions, including opaque procedures and restrictive conditions that limit deployment and access.

The relationship between citizen observers and the Electoral Commission is highly strained and adversarial, with minimal structured engagement and limited space for consultation or influence on electoral processes. Observers are often perceived as politically aligned actors rather than neutral stakeholders, further restricting collaboration.

The most severe constraints are evident in safety and wellbeing, where Uganda ranks among the most hostile environments. During the 2021 elections, at least 27 accredited observers were arrested while coordinating observation activities, and widespread surveillance, intimidation, and harassment of civil society actors were reported. These actions reflect a deliberate strategy to disrupt observation and deter independent scrutiny.

Access to election data is also obstructed in practice, with interference in data collection, raids on coordination centers, and restrictions on information sharing, undermining evidence-based observation. Funding remains highly constrained, with financial controls and account freezes used as tools of suppression. Post-election dialogue is minimal, and observer recommendations are rarely incorporated into reform processes.

Implication: Uganda demonstrates how civic space can be systematically closed through a coordinated use of legal instruments, administrative barriers, financial controls, and security apparatus. Reopening civic space will require comprehensive reforms that protect observer independence, ensure safety, and restore institutional trust in citizen-led electoral oversight.

Recommendations

• Amend restrictive NGO and public order laws to protect civic actors including election observers

• Establish independent accreditation mechanisms insulated from political influence

• Create regional protection mechanisms (AU/ACHPR) for election observers

• Restore and protect CSO financial autonomy, including safeguards against arbitrary suspensions and account freezes

About the report: This assessment Eyes on the Ballot Watchers: The State of Civic Space for Citizen Election Observers in Africa, is a publication of the African Election Observers Network (AfEONet) as part of the Action for a Holistic Electoral Approach for Democracy in Africa (AHEAD Africa) initiative.

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