US commends Uganda for peaceful elections

The US government has hailed Ugandans for participating actively and peacefully in the February 18 Presidential and parliamentary elections, which saw President Yoweri Museveni emerge victorious for a fifth term in office. 

In a press statement issued Sunday by the US mission in Kampala, the voting occurred without major incidents in the country. 

"While the vote occurred without major unrest, we must acknowledge numerous reports of irregularities and official conduct that are deeply inconsistent with international standards and expectations for any democratic process," read the statement. 

The embassy however expressed worry over the delayed delivery of voting materials, reports of pre-checked ballots and vote buying in some parts of the country. 

It also decried the ongoing blockage of social media sites, and excessive use of force by the police which the embassy said undermines the integrity of the electoral process. 

"The Ugandan people deserved better. We are also concerned by the continued house arrest of opposition presidential candidate Kizza Besigye. We call for his immediate release and the restoration of access to all social media sites," the statement read. 

However the US government called upon those contesting the presidential results to desist from violent acts and only contest through peaceful means in accordance with Uganda's laws and judicial process.