Uganda: Elections

(asked on 20th January 2021) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the presidential election in Uganda, and (2) whether that election was free and fair; and what representations they have made to (a) President Museveni, and (b) the government of Uganda, about the conduct of the security forces (i) during, and (ii) in the period after, that election towards opposition candidates and parties.


Answered by
 Portrait
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This question was answered on 4th February 2021

Voting in Uganda's Presidential election concluded on 14 January and we note the re-election of President Museveni. However, significant concerns remain unaddressed including the treatment of opposition candidates in the run-up to and following the elections, the internet shutdown during the elections and subsequent restrictions on social media, and the treatment of journalists throughout this period. The UK deployed 51 Election Observers across Uganda on election day and reported back to our High Commission in Kampala. We have been consulting with international partners, civil society actors, other international observers, and the Government of Uganda to ensure we have a comprehensive and accurate picture of the elections. We have also urged the Government of Uganda to respond to the concerns raised.

Following the arrest of opposition leader, Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, and subsequent violence in November, the Minister for Africa tweeted his concerns on 20 November 2020 and called for the authorities to respect the rights of all Ugandans to express their views in a peaceful manner. He also raised these concerns with the Ugandan Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa on 26 November 2020 and sought assurances that the Ugandan security forces would show restraint. Following the Presidential election results on 16 January, the Minister for Africa set out in a statement our significant concerns about the overall political climate surrounding the elections and has urged the Government of Uganda to meet its international human rights commitments. The treatment of opposition figures post-election, including Robert Kyagulanyi, has been unacceptable and the Minister for Africa expressed his concerns about this in his tweet on 19 January. We welcome the High Court of Uganda's decision of 25 January that the detention of Robert Kyagulanyi was unconstitutional and unlawful and that these restrictions are now lifted. The British High Commission Kampala pressed the Ugandan authorities to end these unacceptable restrictions on his liberty. Our High Commissioner in Kampala continues to meet political actors from all parties and met Robert Kyagulanyi on 27 January 2021. They discussed the political situation in Uganda, the restrictions to political freedoms before and after the elections and the concerns raised over electoral processes. The High Commissioner urged Kyagulanyi and all parties to reject violence, engage in peaceful dialogue and follow due process to address any electoral irregularities. As a long-standing partner to Uganda, and a steadfast advocate for Ugandan democracy, the United Kingdom will continue to follow post-election developments closely.

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