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2026 presidential candidate and National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, has called on the European Union to impose “targeted sanctions” against the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, over what he described as continued human rights abuses in Uganda.
Speaking on Monday during a session of the Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly at the European Parliament, Kyagulanyi, who is still contesting the January 15 general election results, said the EU must take a firmer stance against what he termed misrule and impunity by security forces.
Kyagulanyi, who joined the assembly via remote connection, urged the EU to stop legitimising what he called bad governance in Uganda. He argued that the bloc, which upholds high human rights standards, must ensure that its development partners adhere to the same principles.
Two weeks ago, the European Parliament adopted three resolutions on the human rights situations in Iran, Türkiye and Uganda, with 514 votes in favour, three against and 56 abstentions.
In its resolution on Uganda, the Parliament condemned what it described as widespread intimidation and detention of opposition figures and called for an end to violence and comprehensive political reforms.
“Parliament strongly condemns the conduct of the Ugandan elections on 15 January 2026, which were marred by abuses, widespread intimidation, fraud, violence and a nationwide internet blackout. MEPs are deeply concerned about the suspension of civil society groups as well as the significant threats and intimidation directed at the opposition, including National Unity Platform (NUP) leader and presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) and long-standing opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye,” the resolution reads in part.
“Parliament calls for their immediate and unconditional release and of all those arbitrarily detained and denounces the killing of NUP supporter Mesach Okello. MEPs urge the Ugandan authorities to stop resorting to military trials against civilians and ask for constitutional safeguards in judicial practices as well as for the disclosure of the whereabouts of all missing persons in the country.”
The resolution also called for comprehensive electoral and institutional reforms and urged authorities to refrain from further internet restrictions. Lawmakers asked the EU and its member states to review their cooperation with Uganda to ensure alignment with EU principles, engage critically with Ugandan authorities, and prioritise support for civil society, human rights defenders, LGBTIQ+ activists and journalists.
Parliament further called for independent and impartial investigations into alleged crimes against humanity committed by political and military leaders.
Responding to a question from German MEP J-C Oetjen on what additional measures the EU could take, Kyagulanyi said that if the bloc is unwilling to sever ties with regimes it considers dictatorial, it should at least impose targeted sanctions on individual security officials.
He suggested measures such as travel bans and asset freezes, arguing that these would single out individuals allegedly responsible for gross human rights abuses rather than penalising the country as a whole.
During the same assembly, Ugandan human rights defender Sarah Bireete told lawmakers that armed personnel stormed her home and kept guard outside her bathroom as she showered before arresting her ahead of the January general election. She said she was detained at a police station for more than 72 hours.
Bireete also accused EU diplomats in Uganda of being complicit in human rights violations through what she described as continued silence.
However, Jonas Jonsson, head of Division at the European External Action Service (EEAS) Africa department, rejected the claim, saying EU diplomats are not silent and are closely following up on the resolutions concerning Uganda.
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