A group of African and global women leaders has strongly urged the Ugandan government to immediately end what they describe as a systematic campaign of sexual violence and intimidation against women following the January 2026 elections.
In a public letter dated February 8, 2026, addressed to President Yoweri Museveni and Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Pan-African Progressive Leaders Solidarity Network warned that these abuses not only harm women in Uganda but also violate human rights across the continent.
“The atrocities currently being visited upon the women of Uganda are not merely a Ugandan crisis; they are a stain on the conscience of the African continent and a direct assault on the universal principles of human dignity that bind all decent human beings across the globe,” the letter reads.
The coalition described the post-election period as a serious decline in human rights, accusing state security forces of using sexual violence, intimidation, and fear to target women associated with opposition politics.
“When the privacy of a woman’s bedroom is violated, and her body is treated as a battlefield, the soul of a nation and by extension, our region is in mortal peril,” the letter states.
The women outlined a series of alleged attacks, starting with the assault on Barbara Itungo Kyagulanyi, wife of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, who challenged President Museveni in the January vote.
The letter says that on January 22, 2026, dozens of security personnel, “many visibly intoxicated,” forced their way into her home, damaged property, and took personal electronics, including devices used by her children for learning.
“Four military men perpetrated a heinous act of sexual violence by ripping off Barbara’s clothing, leaving her exposed to over 50 jeering men,” the coalition wrote. She reportedly lost consciousness after being tortured and was admitted to Nsambya Hospital. The assault followed weeks of house arrest, during which she was denied access to her family, the media, and medical care.
“She was surrounded by security personnel who restricted her access to family and friends,” the letter adds.
The group accuses the government of intentionally using forced nudity as a form of political control.
“The Ugandan state has intentionally weaponised the stripping of women in front of dozens of soldiers and filming them naked as a tool of political emasculation,” the letter says.
Other incidents allegedly include the invasion of Dr Zahara Nampewo’s bedroom, where she was interrogated while in nightwear, and the abduction of Doreen Kaija while she was showering.
“She was assaulted while naked in her shower and bundled into a vehicle without being allowed to decently dress up,” the coalition wrote. Similarly, Sarah Bireete, Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance, was reportedly confronted in her bedroom while asleep and interrogated before she could freshen up and dress.
The letter also notes that abuse continues in detention, highlighting the cases of Sauda Madada and Olivia Lutaaya. “The cases of Sauda Madada and Olivia Lutaaya highlight how women are targeted for abuse and torture both during the process of arrest and while in detention,” the letter says.
The coalition directly links the alleged abuses to Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, saying he has normalised disrespect toward women.
“His consistent online pattern of disparaging women, using derogatory terms like ‘Nyashless’ to body-shame and mock women, sets a dangerous precedent,” the letter reads. They also criticized the posting of images of Barbara Kyagulanyi under armed guard online after her alleged assault, calling it public humiliation.
“When the Commander of the Defence Forces (CDF) publicly disgraces women, it provides a ‘greenlight’ for forces under his command to treat women with similar contempt, brutality, and violence,” the coalition wrote.
The group further mentions Muhoozi’s previous online attacks on Dr Winnie Byanyima and threats against her husband, Dr Kizza Besigye, who is reportedly still held in detention on politically motivated charges.
The letter expresses deep concern about enforced disappearances of women in opposition leadership. “We are horrified by the ongoing enforced disappearances, including those of Dr Lina Zedriga, the NUP Vice President for Northern Uganda, and Jolly Jackline Tukamushaba, the NUP Vice President for Western Uganda,” the letter reads.
Both were allegedly abducted in mid-January by joint security forces, with video footage reportedly showing Tukamushaba being forced into a military vehicle known locally as a “drone.”
The coalition says government agencies initially denied knowing their whereabouts. “In a staggering display of bad faith, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) had filed affidavits in the High Court denying they were in their custody,” the letter states.
They accuse the judiciary of failing to enforce habeas corpus, describing the courts as acting like “abduction cartels.” “This blatant disregard for judicial oversight leaves families in a state of agonising uncertainty,” the letter adds.
“This is no longer a domestic matter,” the coalition says, urging President Museveni, as Commander-in-Chief, to take responsibility. “The back stops with you. Time for you to act decisively is now.”
The coalition has asked for action from African and global organizations, including the African Union, African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, United Nations, East African Community, Commonwealth Secretariat, SADC, and ECOWAS. “Silence will be seen as complicity,” the letter warns.
In a direct appeal to President Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni, the women wrote: “As a mother and a self-proclaimed champion of children, your silence in the face of the UPDF’s crimes under your son’s command, sexually violating women, stripping wives, mothers and daughters naked, is deafening.”
They also addressed Gen. Muhoozi: “By subjecting women to sexual violence, you by extension violate your daughter’s, your wife’s and the dignity of all women.”
“The humiliation of women does not project strength; it broadcasts a desperate, cowardly weakness,” the coalition added.
The women vowed to continue naming victims, including Barbara Itungo, Lina Zedriga, Jolly Tukamushaba, Zahara Nampewo, Doreen Kaija, Sarah Bireete, Sauda Madada, Olivia Lutaaya, Dr Winnie Byanyima, Sam Mugumya’s ailing mother, Mrs Edinat Turyomurugyendo, Halimah Lutale, and all wives and mothers of political prisoners until justice is achieved.
