A member of the United Kingdom House of Commons, Dr Paul Williams, has called on international communities and organisations to suspend financial aid to Uganda.
In a statement on Sunday, Williams called on the UK, US and European Union to sanction some government officials in the country for their roles in Thursday’s general elections.
The Uganda’s Electoral Commission had on Saturday declared long-time President Yoweri Museveni, winner of the disputed presidential election for a sixth term in office.
The British lawmaker said that Museveni has used excuse of COVID-19 to restrict campaigning activities – opposition candidates frequently blocked from going to particular areas. Army and police have detained more than 400 people – evidence of beating torture and rape of activists, journalists, candidates and unarmed civilians.
He also cited Internet shutdown on government orders from day before the election and evidence of stuffed ballot boxes in Gulu, Kitgum, Tororo. Returning officers found with pre-ticked declaration forms in Kawempe and ballot papers delivered very late to opposition strongholds in Kampala.
USA embassy pulled out its observers as they were denied accreditation by the Government of Uganda According to Ambassador Natalie Brown, With only 15 accreditations approved, it is not possible for the United States to meaningfully observe the conduct of Uganda’s elections at polling sites across the country
She said that a
Srong statement from State Department last night says elections conducted on ‘climate of intimidation and fear’. The European Union issued a similar statement saying that its observers were not going to observe the 2021 elections
“The Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) were invited by the Uganda Electoral Commission to observe elections in Kampala, Mukono District, Wakiso District, Luwero and Mpigi districts. No comments from them post-election. Museveni’s spokesman has said African Union and East African Community would send observers acç no comments from them.
Also, requests by Bobi Wine supporters from international partners include a statement that it was not a free or fair election. They also called for withdrawal of the army from Bobi Wine’s home and restore Ugandan communication systems, provide safe passage for Bobi Wine’s wife, Barbie, if/when requested. They also asked the Ugandan government to release all Ugandans who are in prison for supporting each opposition candidates.
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