Uganda: Washington calls for ‘fraud’ investigation

As incumbent President Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner in Uganda’s presidential election against his main rival, Bobi Wine, the United States has called for independent investigations into reports of irregularities in the general election held last Thursday.

In power since 1986, President Yoweri Museveni (76), was re-elected with 58.6% of the vote to serve a sixth term at the head of Uganda. His main rival, Bobi Wine, obtained 34.8% and has since rejected the results. The United States has called for independent investigations into reports of irregularities in Uganda’s general elections held last Thursday.

In a statement, the U.S. State Department said: « We call for immediate, independent, credible, impartial and thorough investigations into these irregularity reports and for those responsible to be held accountable. The Department further condemned the violence by security forces in the pre-election period and the continued attacks on political candidates, of which Wine was a victim. « We urge the government to respect its human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression. We are gravely concerned about the ongoing harassment and threats against civil society, » the statement said.

The main opposition figure, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known as Bobi Wine, said on Saturday that he had been placed under house arrest as the military surrounded his house, preventing any visits. « It’s now four days since the military surrounded our house and placed my wife and I under house arrest. We have run out of food and when my wife tried to pick fruit in the garden yesterday (Sunday) she was blocked and attacked by the soldiers in our compound, » Wine said. But the Ugandan authorities said the military presence around her home was intended to provide her with security.

Wine’s meetings were marred by widespread violence orchestrated by the Ugandan police against his supporters and campaign team, with the authorities claiming they were applying measures to combat Covid-19. The government also decided to shut down the Internet a day before Ugandans went to the polls. It was restored on Monday, five days later. The nationwide shutdown of the Internet and social media services was condemned by the United States, which urged the Ugandan government to respect freedom of expression.