(MENAFN) The UN’s human rights leader issued a strong rebuke over what he described as a rapidly tightening clampdown on Uganda’s opposition figures and independent media in the lead-up to the January general election. According to broad reports, he urged the country’s authorities to guarantee full protection of human rights throughout the electoral process.

In his statement, Volker Turk noted that there were “credible reports” indicating that more than 550 people — including supporters and members of the National Unity Platform (NUP) — have been taken into custody since the beginning of the year. Over 300 of these arrests reportedly occurred after campaigning started in September. Many of those detained are still being held on various charges such as public disturbance, disobedience of orders, assault, obstruction, and incitement, according to the statement.

Accounts suggest that security forces have routinely intervened in NUP rallies, sending heavily armed personnel to campaign locations. Reports also claim that last week officers used live ammunition during an incident in Iganga, resulting in at least one death and injuring several others.

Turk added that security personnel have employed “tear gas, whips, batons, water cannon and chemical irritants among other weapons” to break up crowds of supporters.

He stated that “It is deeply regrettable that election campaigns have once again been marked by widespread arbitrary arrests, detentions and the use of unnecessary or disproportionate force against the opposition, as well as undue restriction on press freedom.”

The UN rights chief highlighted a growing trend of arbitrary detentions, disappearances, torture, and other abuses throughout the year. Reports have described detainees being transported in unmarked vehicles—referred to as “drones”—to unofficial holding sites known as “safe houses,” where they are kept without contact. He stressed that international law requires all detainees to be held exclusively in recognized facilities.

Several notable examples were referenced, including a bodyguard of the NUP leader who appeared in court “visibly shaking and showing other signs of physical torture,” as well as two Kenyan activists who were held incommunicado for more than a month in a location the president reportedly referred to as “the fridge.”

Turk appealed to authorities to “fully and impartially investigate all allegations of enforced disappearance, arbitrary arrest and detention, and torture or ill treatment,” adding that “All individuals arbitrarily deprived of liberty should be released.”

He also urged the government to stop violence against the press, citing recent instances of accreditation removal and assaults on journalists.

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