ganda is teetering on the brink of a democratic collapse as violence is surging in neighboring states. Security forces killed 54 civilians during Uganda’s last election in 2021. Now, the country’s democratic institutions are even more corrupt and less prepared to hold security forces accountable. If Uganda can’t resolve growing domestic tensions ahead of its 2026 elections, the entire region could plunge into violent instability.
The U.S.’s current military approach sent a clear message to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and his security sector: his abuse of power won’t change U.S. military assistance. Despite mounting torture allegations against Ugandan security personnel, U.S. International Military Education and Training (IMET) assistance for Uganda has remained nearly constant. U.S. military aid must support regional security, not democratic backsliding or rights abuses. It’s time for the U.S. to condition military assistance to Uganda on accountability reforms and human rights training:
- The Ugandan security sector must undergo collaborative human rights training with Ugandan civil society organizations, such as the Uganda Human Rights Commission. Localized human rights curricula in both military and police training will foster a deeper understanding of local conflict dynamics and better equip the forces to manage civil unrest peacefully.
- Museveni must also implement anti–corruption reforms across government ministries and the judiciary. These reforms should include collaborative transparency programs with civil society to monitor the security forces. Stronger democratic institutions will ensure peaceful conflict resolution and hold security personnel accountable to the law, not just to Museveni.
Coupling military assistance with localized training will prevent state–sponsored violence. Research shows that security forces with specific training on human rights protections are less likely to use repression, especially if state institutions monitor the forces and hold them accountable. Increasing accountability and training for security forces will also save money. In countries with recent violence like Uganda, conflict prevention policies can yield returns of up to $103 for every $1 invested.
Additionally, the Ugandan security sector could more effectively support U.S. military goals in Africa if violence is reduced. Museveni has been a critical partner for implementing U.S. counterterrorism efforts like combatting ISIS in the Democratic Republic of Congo and al–Shabaab in Somalia. U.S. military assistance must be spent on training and equipping Ugandan security personnel to target terrorists, not civilians.
Finally, by demonstrating its commitment to human rights, the U.S. can bolster its relationship with Uganda’s people and its next administration. Reducing corruption in Uganda’s security sector will increase U.S. credibility. A stronger U.S.–Uganda relationship will also yield a competitive edge over states like Russia and China that are looking to expand their influence on the continent.
While some may fear that Museveni may forfeit U.S. military training assistance, Uganda would struggle to find funding that could fill the gap of its primary donor. For instance, China’s global military assistance is just 1.6% of the U.S. total. Plus, Uganda is wary of Chinese debt traps after a predatory airport loan in 2015. Uganda’s other main donors—the EU and the World Bank—have already signaled willingness to condition aid on human rights. The U.S. now has an opportunity both to secure its continued partnership with Uganda and to counter rival ambitions.
As Uganda’s 2026 election nears, the stability of Uganda and East Africa is at stake. The U.S. must condition its military training assistance on institutional reforms that weed out corruption and protect human rights. That way, when new leadership comes to power, Uganda will have accountable security forces to ensure a peaceful transition. Collaborating with Ugandan civil society, the U.S. can put its money where its morals are and offer a roadmap to reform.
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U.S. military assistance must ensure Uganda’s stability
Uganda receives military aid from the U.S. to bolster regional stability. Photo courtesy of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet on Flickr.
April 16, 2025
Uganda is on the brink of democratic collapse as domestic corruption and human rights abuses erode the government’s credibility. Tying military aid to accountability reforms could be key to keeping the entire region from sliding into violent instability, writes Claire Pamerleau.
U
ganda is teetering on the brink of a democratic collapse as violence is surging in neighboring states. Security forces killed 54 civilians during Uganda’s last election in 2021. Now, the country’s democratic institutions are even more corrupt and less prepared to hold security forces accountable. If Uganda can’t resolve growing domestic tensions ahead of its 2026 elections, the entire region could plunge into violent instability.
The U.S.’s current military approach sent a clear message to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and his security sector: his abuse of power won’t change U.S. military assistance. Despite mounting torture allegations against Ugandan security personnel, U.S. International Military Education and Training (IMET) assistance for Uganda has remained nearly constant. U.S. military aid must support regional security, not democratic backsliding or rights abuses. It’s time for the U.S. to condition military assistance to Uganda on accountability reforms and human rights training:
- The Ugandan security sector must undergo collaborative human rights training with Ugandan civil society organizations, such as the Uganda Human Rights Commission. Localized human rights curricula in both military and police training will foster a deeper understanding of local conflict dynamics and better equip the forces to manage civil unrest peacefully.
- Museveni must also implement anti–corruption reforms across government ministries and the judiciary. These reforms should include collaborative transparency programs with civil society to monitor the security forces. Stronger democratic institutions will ensure peaceful conflict resolution and hold security personnel accountable to the law, not just to Museveni.
Coupling military assistance with localized training will prevent state–sponsored violence. Research shows that security forces with specific training on human rights protections are less likely to use repression, especially if state institutions monitor the forces and hold them accountable. Increasing accountability and training for security forces will also save money. In countries with recent violence like Uganda, conflict prevention policies can yield returns of up to $103 for every $1 invested.
Additionally, the Ugandan security sector could more effectively support U.S. military goals in Africa if violence is reduced. Museveni has been a critical partner for implementing U.S. counterterrorism efforts like combatting ISIS in the Democratic Republic of Congo and al–Shabaab in Somalia. U.S. military assistance must be spent on training and equipping Ugandan security personnel to target terrorists, not civilians.
Finally, by demonstrating its commitment to human rights, the U.S. can bolster its relationship with Uganda’s people and its next administration. Reducing corruption in Uganda’s security sector will increase U.S. credibility. A stronger U.S.–Uganda relationship will also yield a competitive edge over states like Russia and China that are looking to expand their influence on the continent.
While some may fear that Museveni may forfeit U.S. military training assistance, Uganda would struggle to find funding that could fill the gap of its primary donor. For instance, China’s global military assistance is just 1.6% of the U.S. total. Plus, Uganda is wary of Chinese debt traps after a predatory airport loan in 2015. Uganda’s other main donors—the EU and the World Bank—have already signaled willingness to condition aid on human rights. The U.S. now has an opportunity both to secure its continued partnership with Uganda and to counter rival ambitions.
As Uganda’s 2026 election nears, the stability of Uganda and East Africa is at stake. The U.S. must condition its military training assistance on institutional reforms that weed out corruption and protect human rights. That way, when new leadership comes to power, Uganda will have accountable security forces to ensure a peaceful transition. Collaborating with Ugandan civil society, the U.S. can put its money where its morals are and offer a roadmap to reform.
