Ambassador Blaak and President Museveni after a recent meeting
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The European Parliament has summoned Uganda’s Ambassador to the European Union, H.E. Mirjam Blaak, in a move that signals a deepening diplomatic crisis and raises the prospect of targeted sanctions following Uganda’s disputed 15 January 2026 general elections.
Ambassador Blaak is expected to appear before a European Parliament delegation in Brussels on Monday next week, alongside officials from the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP). The meeting comes amid mounting international concern over allegations of widespread abuses, intimidation of opposition figures and a brutal crackdown on protests that followed the vote.
On February 12, EU lawmakers in Strasbourg overwhelmingly adopted a resolution condemning the elections as “marred by abuses, widespread intimidation, fraud, violence and a nationwide internet blackout.” The resolution expressed “deep concern” over the targeting of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, as well as other political figures.
The summons also follows Kyagulanyi’s high-profile address at the 2026 Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, where he appeared via video link, reportedly from hiding. In his speech, he called for “targeted international sanctions against President Yoweri Museveni and the Chief of Defence Forces,” accusing the Ugandan authorities of orchestrating systematic repression in the aftermath of the elections.
During next week’s engagement, Members of the European Parliament are expected to press Ambassador Blaak on issues highlighted in the resolution, including the intimidation of opposition supporters, arbitrary detentions, restrictions on civil society and alleged human rights violations by security forces.
Diplomatic sources in Brussels say the discussions could shape the European Union’s next steps, with punitive measures such as targeted sanctions, travel bans and asset freezes now under active consideration. While no final decision has been announced, officials indicate that continued reports of repression and democratic backsliding could trigger swift action.
If imposed, EU sanctions would mark one of the strongest international responses to Uganda’s electoral process in recent years, potentially straining relations between Kampala and its key development partners. As scrutiny intensifies, the coming weeks are likely to prove critical in determining whether diplomatic pressure translates into concrete penalties.
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