Government has responded to the US threats to sanction a number of high-profile Uganda officials, saying that America cannot lecture Uganda on elections, among other things. 

On Wednesday, in what seemed to be an indication of President Joe Biden foreign policy outlook and approach to Uganda, the spokesperson of the US Department of State, Ned Price, said that America will consider targeting anyone who got involved in alleged irregularities that underpinned the January 14 general elections. 

“Uganda’s January 14 elections were marred by election irregularities and abuses by the government’s security services against opposition candidates and members of the civil society. We will consider a range of targeted options to hold accountable for what we saw in relation to Uganda elections,” Price said, during a press conference at the US State Department, calling for an independent probe of all election-related abuses in Uganda. 

When journalists asked Price to comment about the decision by the former presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi to withdraw an election petition from the Supreme Court and whether America considers President Yoweri Museveni as a reliable partner in the war against terrorism, Price, however, said Museveni remains a reliable partner to US. 

“When it comes to President Museveni, Uganda, of course, does continue to play a regional role and does have an important role when it comes to some of our interests in the region. It is a troop-contributing country to AMISOM in Somalia, in its international efforts to defeat al-Shabaab,” Price said. 

“But again, this goes to the point that we’ve now made even more times throughout this briefing, that we can pursue our interests and pursue our values at the same time. We are considering, as I said, a range of targeted options to hold accountable those who are responsible for what we saw in the context of Uganda’s elections, just as we continue to work with Uganda to pursue some of our mutual interests. We’ll take a final question or two,” he added. 

Weighing in on the Ugandan electoral process, Price said: “Well, I believe we said this before, but it probably bears reiterating that Uganda’s January 14th elections were marred by election irregularities and abuses by the government’s security services against opposition candidates and members of civil society. We strongly urge independent, credible, impartial, and thorough investigations into these incidents. We’ll consider a range of targeted options to hold accountable those members of the security forces responsible for these actions.” 

GOVT RESPONDS 

However, the Government spokesperson, Ofwono Opondo, yesterday told New Vision that if there are any concerns about the Ugandan electoral process, the US government should raise them in writing. 

Ofwono added that the US should first fix their loopholes that marred their recent electoral process before making any attempt to rectify mistakes in a far-off country. 

“We haven’t officially received any valid concern in writing by the US government regarding our recent elections. When they do so, Uganda government will respond appropriately and effectively. Otherwise, for now, it is only rumours. In the meantime, the US government better fixes its own elections where according to President Donald Trump even the dead voted and Joe Biden is in office through fraud and so they should be the last to give lectures,” Ofwono said.  

Commenting on threats to sanction top government officials, Ofwono said, the US government should provide proof of the allegations—rather than acting on hearsay. 

“On sanctions especially against government officials is hollow because again they have not provided any specific individuals or offences and so it is hearsay and burden is with those making allegations to prove their case before a competent authority. Besides, Uganda too has both internal and external interests to promote and defend,” he said. 

IGNORE FOREIGNERS 

The US call for sanctions has come against the backdrop of recent parallel calls of similar sanctions on Ugandan top officials by the European Union (EU) Parliament. 

Cabinet has since debated the EU threats to sanction Ugandan officials, and President Museveni has also held a meeting with EU envoys in Uganda to discuss the emerging contradictions.  

Prior to this interface with the EU delegation in Uganda, the President had in his security address to the Nation on February 13, scoffed at what he described as “foreign interference” into Ugandan affairs by some foreigners, rallying Ugandans to ignore them. 

He also commented on the resolution by the EU Parliament calling for sanctions against some individuals and organisations allegedly involved in perpetuating human rights abuses.  

“I want to comment on the excitement caused by some foreigners trying to interfere with our internal affairs. Ignore them. Don’t listen or be influenced by what they are saying because they could lead to a lot of distortions,” he said. 

“I read in the newspapers about the EU Parliament sanctioning some Ugandans from travelling. For anybody to think that Africans are dying to go to Europe is something that shows lack of seriousness,” he added. 

To emphasise his point, Museveni gave the example of former President Idi Amin, who he said, was praised by foreigners during his infant days despite glaring indications of his political transgressions.  

“When Idi Amin made a coup in 1971, he was supported by foreigners. But, for us, straight away after he had announced his coup, we decided to fight him because he could not understand our Pan-African aims. We need state power to solve problems of Africa—not just positions,” he said. 

“Apart from ideological differences, Idi Amin killed a lot of people. If we had listened to foreigners, we would have made mistakes,” he added.