Facebook video allegedly showing Uganda post-election protest, not recent

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Juliet Buna

Claim: A Facebook page, Africa for Afrikans, posted a video on January 17, 2026, claiming there is a protest in Uganda after the 2026 general election.

Verdict: Misleading. The video is not recent.

Full Text

Uganda’s 2026 general election was held on Jan. 15, 2026, drawing significant international attention. Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni secured a seventh term with 71.65% of the votes, according to the Electoral Commission. Opposition leader Bobi Wine, who came second with 24.72% rejected the outcome, alleging electoral fraud.

The process was marked by reports of opposition repression, internet disruptions, and arrests.

Following the announcement of the results, the Facebook page Africa for Afrikans, (archived here) shared a 45-second video on Jan. 17, 2026, with the claim that Ugandans were currently on the streets protesting and being attacked by security forces.

As of Jan. 18, 2026, the post had garnered over 494,000 views, 23,000 likes, 2,000 comments, and 2,000 reposts. 

Several users supported the post with strong opinions on governance and the situation in Uganda.

Oghenerukevwe Anthony wrote, “Africa needs military rule, not democracy.” Reuben Onoruyie commented, “Fight for your freedom with your last breath. Don’t be like Nigerians.”

David Apejua said, “It is time for African young men and women to take our destiny into our own hands and stand against wicked politicians.” Devine Speed appealed, “President Donald Trump, please help Bobi Wine. He won the Ugandan election, but the incumbent president is refusing to hand over power.”

Basil J. Mafu noted, “Justice should prevail. Unfortunately, in almost all African elections, protests erupt, the noise eventually dies down, and the oppressors continue as if nothing happened.”

However, Mugarura Bright offered a different view: “Online, it looks intense, but on the ground, things are different. Everything is normal and quiet.”

DUBAWA decided to fact-check the claim because it had the potential to mislead and inflame emotions

Verification

We examined the circulating video and observed a watermark labelled “NTV.” Further checks showed that NTV Uganda is a leading television station in the country.

A Google reverse image search of keyframes from the video revealed that the footage is not recent. DUBAWA found the original version on NTV Uganda’s official Facebook page.

The 45-second clip was extracted from a 16-minute, 59-second news report aired on Nov. 24, 2025, during one of Bobi Wine’s campaign activities. The misleading post used footage taken from approximately 13:40 to 16:05 of the original report.

Was there a protest after the Ugandan election?

Protests and clashes were reported on Jan. 16, 2026, a day after the election, around the time the Electoral Commission announced Museveni’s victory. Incidents were recorded in areas such as Butambala District and Kampala, where police reportedly used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse demonstrators, leading to at least seven deaths.

Conclusion

Although protests occurred in parts of Uganda after the 2026 election, the video shared by Africa for Afrikans does not depict events from January 2026. The footage predates the election and was taken from a 2025 campaign-related news report. The claim that the video reflects current post-election protests in Uganda is, therefore, misleading.