The Mood in Uganda Ahead of the Election

The Mood in Uganda Ahead of the Election

The political atmosphere in Uganda is extremely tense in the run-up to today's parliamentary elections on January 15, 2026. Repression, threats, and a heavy security presence characterize the mood. President Yoweri Museveni is seeking a seventh term and is running against his main rival, Bobi Wine. There are fears of violence and election manipulation. Public opinion is deeply divided: youth frustration over high unemployment contrasts sharply with support for Museveni's stability. Youth unemployment affects 70% of the population under 35 and fuels calls for change. Economic stagnation, corruption, and government failure dominate the public debate. Many young voters value stability and opportunity and are torn between Museveni's experience and Bobi Wine's promises of reform. Human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests and the crackdown on the opposition, have heightened concerns in the run-up to the elections. The cost of living in Uganda is relatively low, especially compared to Europe, and varies considerably between urban (e.g., Kampala) and rural areas. A single person's monthly expenses, including rent, are around €900, while a family of four needs approximately €1,850. Numbeo estimates the cost of living index (excluding rent) at 26.67, making Uganda one of the more affordable countries. - Single person: approx. €895 (UGX 3.7 million). - Family (4 people): approx. €1,855 (UGX 7.7 million). These estimates are based on expat data and should be considered as a guide, as they are based on limited data points. Rents are particularly low: A 45 m² apartment costs around €240 per month in average areas and up to €616 in expensive areas. In Kampala, two-bedroom apartments in the city center cost an average of 1.23 million UZ (approximately €300). Basic groceries are inexpensive, for example, 1 liter of milk costs €0.59, 1 kg of tomatoes costs €0.90, and a cheap lunch costs €2.94. Numbeo lists milk (1 liter) at 2,493 UZ (approximately €0.60) and a McDonald's meal at 30,000 UZ (approximately €7). - Utilities (85 m²): €84/month. - Transportation (monthly pass): €37; Petrol (1 liter): €1.21. - Dining (meal): 10,000 UZ (approximately €2.40). Authorities imposed an internet blackout for security reasons, evoking memories of the violence during the 2021 elections. The massive deployment of military and police forces in cities like Kampala and Jinja is intended to maintain order, but it is fueling fears of intimidation. Polling stations on military bases are reportedly being inspected. Election commission head Simon Byabakama reports threats from authorities to prevent Bobi Wine from declaring victory. Bobi Wine's National Unity Platform is facing disruptions of campaign events, arrests of supporters, and allegations of torture. The party is portraying the election as a "war" against the dictatorship. A December 2025 poll showed Museveni with 64% of the vote, ahead of Wine with 2%, although more recent polls are scarce. Wine denies past election results as rigged and is mobilizing young people with the slogan "protest vote." Over 21.6 million registered voters, predominantly young people, are showing enthusiasm. Some support Museveni because he promises a better quality of life in light of criticism of his life expectancy, while others see Wine as a potential successor. The divided views of young people highlight the generational shift, with the NRM (yellow) and the NUP (red) dominating the rallies. Analysts predict Museveni will "managed continuity" through repression to prevent change at the ballot box. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62vd7542rno https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/15/polls-open-in-uganda-amid-crackdown-fears-of-violence-internet-blackout https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c77k8pym06zo https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20260114-ugandans-prepare-to-vote-following-a-campaign-marked-by-intimidation https://www.forus-international.org/news/as-uganda-heads-to-2026-polls-civil-society-turns-to-peace-journalism-to-protect-democracy https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/country/uganda?currency=EUR https://de.numbeo.com/lebenshaltungskosten/land/Uganda https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Kampala https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Uganda https://auswandern-info.com/lebenshaltungskosten-und-mieten-uganda/