Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when their High Commissioner to Uganda last met (1) Bobi Wine, and (2) President Museveni; what assessment they have made of continuing to provide any Overseas Development Assistance to Uganda; and what plans they have to make representations to the government of Uganda about (a) the release from house arrest of Bobi Wine, and (b) ending any harassment of opposition parties.

Following the arrest of Robert Kyagulanyi on 18 November 2020 which sparked violent protests in Uganda, the Minister for Africa spoke to the Ugandan Foreign Minister, Sam Kutesa, on 26 November 2020 and raised the UK's concerns about the violence that took place. The Minister for Africa sought reassurances that Ugandan security forces would show restraint and raised the importance of the rights of Ugandans to freely express their views. Ahead of the elections, the Minister for Africa spoke to Foreign Minister Kutesa again on 12 January 2021 and expressed the importance of independent observation of the elections on 14 January.

Following the elections on 14 January 2021, the Minister for Africa set out in a statement our concerns on 17 January 2021 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 Robert Kyagulanyi has been unacceptable and the Minister for Africa expressed his concerns about this in a tweet on 19 January 2021. The Minister for Africa welcomes the High Court of Uganda's decision of 25 January 2021 that the detention of Robert Kyagulanyi was unconstitutional and that these restrictions have been lifted. The British High Commission Kampala pressed the Ugandan authorities to end these unacceptable restrictions on his liberty. 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.