East Africa in January 2026: the most important developments in security
Security in East Africa in January 2026 centred on Uganda after its election. An opposition lawmaker said security forces killed ten people in his home on 16 January, and police detained an opposition lawmaker after at least seven deaths. Opposition candidate Bobi Wine said he escaped a police raid and reported an attempted kidnapping; police denied arresting him while military helicopters flew over his home in Kampala. On 20 January the army chief, Muhoozi, gave Bobi Wine 48 hours to surrender, and by 26 January the military was pursuing him. On 23 January the army chief said 2,000 opposition supporters had been detained and 30 people killed after the disputed election. The UN criticised the crackdown.
In South Sudan, fighting intensified in Jonglei state early in the month, and the UN said abductions and sexual violence had increased. On 22 January the army repelled an attack on a garrison town, and the army chief gave soldiers seven days to crush a rebellion. The army ordered civilians, aid workers and UN personnel to leave opposition-controlled areas, and barrel bomb attacks displaced large numbers of people. UN and rights experts warned on 26 January of a risk of mass violence in Jonglei, and on 29 January the UN Secretary-General said he was deeply concerned.
In northern Kenya, al-Shabaab changed its tactics in attacks.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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