In Uganda, a sharp intensification of state surveillance and repression marks a troubling development under the influence of General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the country’s military chief and son of long-serving President Yoweri Museveni. Kainerugaba’s recent bid to succeed his father in the presidency has coincided with increased crackdowns on dissent, creating an atmosphere described by critics as a "reign of terror."
Security forces have targeted opposition activists, independent media, and critics, employing tactics such as forcibly removing commentators during broadcasts, setting political opponents’ homes ablaze, and shutting down major media outlets for extended periods. These actions underscore the expanding reach of Ugandan security agencies, which benefit from advanced technologies acquired from foreign companies.
Uganda’s surveillance infrastructure includes Chinese-supplied cameras equipped with facial recognition, Russian radio frequency trackers installed in vehicle license plates, and Israeli-developed phone hacking software. These technologies allow the government to monitor citizens continuously and suppress opposition voices with greater efficiency and less overt force.
The use of these tools has drawn international scrutiny, as companies from diverse countries—such as Israel’s Cellebrite and Canada's Magnet Forensics—have provided software enabling the extraction and analysis of private data, often without transparency regarding the end-use. Cellebrite stated it has ceased operations in Uganda due to ethical concerns following scrutiny of their technology’s role in enabling state surveillance. Magnet Forensics did not respond to requests for comment.
The government’s deployment of surveillance expanded notably in 2019, following a $126 million contract with the Chinese firm Huawei to install a closed-circuit television network monitored by engineers embedded within Uganda’s security agencies. Additionally, a Russian company was engaged to manage license plate tracking systems, though Ugandan officials recently nullified that contract amid growing concerns about privacy and legitimacy.
Human rights groups and civil society activists report a pervasive climate of fear. Job Kijja, director of Innovations for Democratic Engagement and Action in Kampala, described ongoing threats and intimidation, commenting on the diminished prospects for international legal support or diplomatic advocacy. Another prominent opposition figure, Robert Rukirabashaija, recounted his experiences of surveillance and harassment, including unauthorized extraction of personal data. He fled to Germany in 2022 after evading a government crackdown.
This technological repression has largely targeted a rising opposition movement led by Robert Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine. A former musician turned politician, Kyagulanyi galvanized youth support with calls for democratic reform and transparency, posing a serious challenge to Museveni’s long-standing rule. Following his narrow parliamentary victory in 2017 and subsequent presidential bids in 2021 and early 2024, Bobi Wine and his supporters faced intensified persecution, including arrests, torture allegations, and violent clashes with security forces. Amnesty International reported that at least 16 people died during the 2024 election period, with incidents of lethal force used against voters and protesters.
Observers note that Uganda exemplifies a broader trend across Africa, where authoritarian regimes harness sophisticated surveillance tools imported from abroad to quell dissent. Beijing’s expanding influence, driven by its extensive trade and investment ties, includes the export of artificial intelligence-powered monitoring systems used in at least a dozen African countries according to Freedom House. Western companies also continue to supply technology despite concerns over misuse.
The departure of strong U.S. advocacy for human rights under recent administrations has reportedly emboldened authoritarian governments like Uganda’s. Critics argue that a shift towards "trade, not aid" and a reluctance to publicly challenge repressive actions enables regimes to consolidate power unchecked. As one civil society leader put it, the next two decades could see China’s model increasingly shape the political landscape on the continent. Meanwhile, many Ugandans live under heightened surveillance and repression, with little recourse as their political environment grows ever more constrained.