Ugandans commend American democracy

PIC: From left, V. Kananathan, the Sri Lanka Honorary Consul in Uganda,  US Ambassador to Ugandan Deborah Malac and Alison Blackburne, UK High Commissioner in Uganda  during a US Mission Breakfast to monitor  the US elections at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala. (Credit: Roderick Ahimbazwe)

KAMPALA - Ugandans have commended the American democracy as highly credible after the Republican Party candidate Donald Trump defeated the ruling party's Hillary Clinton.

Journalists and various high profile Ugandans had been invited by the American Embassy to convene at the Sheraton Hotel to follow updates on CNN from the USA presidential election which the unexpected Republican Party nominee Donald Trump won.

Commenting on the outcome on the sidelines of the event, civil society activist Livingston Ssewanyana said the Trump had won because of his strong message of making America great again and solving the country's problems.

Ssewanyana also observed that the outcome was a clear demonstration of credible democracy which should be emulated by other countries.

"The media was not on his side. The American government under Obama was largely behind Hillary. If he has won despite the proganda from various establishments, the American voter has emerged the king. He warned African dictators and we are eager to see what he will do."

Makerere University economics lecturer Dr. Fred Muhumuza said, "Trump has been very unpredictable. He has been a businessman. His performance is going to depend on how he responds to institutions because American institutions can control a president."    

Muhumuza also noted that what has happened is a reflection of democracy at its best since nearly all institutions were not behind Trump.

From left, Ambassadors Henk Jan Bakker (Netherlands), Stephane Rivaol (France) and Susan Eckey (Norway) during the US Mission Breakfast in Kampala. (Credit: Roderick Ahimbazwe)

Makerere University political science lecturer Sabiti Makara also believes Trump's win is vote of confidence in American democracy.

"Almost every power establishment was against Trump but the will of the American voters has prevailed. People voted him because of anti-attitude towards American power establishments like Washington."

Makara argued that the failure of Hillary Clinton whom many thought would easily win is clear indicator that majority of the world's societies including Uganda are yet to embrace women Presidents.

 Journalists were treated to a rare level of restriction that they did not have freedom to enter the room and freely take photographs or interview the guests for the embassy who included Makerere University Vice Chancellor John Dumba and Miria Matembe among a few others.

The American ambassador Deborah Malac who was expected to address the press did not make any speech at the occasion.

Many times, the officials who were always alert kept chasing away journalists who made attempts to get closer to the ambassador.

Even when it was clear that Trump's win was a foregone conclusion, USA embassy officials kept insisting that the process was still ongoing and therefore they did not know who would win.

At 10:00 before the closing time of 10:30am which had been announced, journalists were told to go away that the event had come to an end.

Speaking to journalists briefly before he sent them away, the embassy's spokesperson Christopher Brown said, "We had organized this event to end at 10:00am. So we are closing it. But the process of counting votes is still going. I cannot tell you who the winner is."

But later in the day, ambassador Malac posted on twitter said, "Now, as is tradition, we put aside partisan differences & work together to achieve our shared goals in domestic and foreign policy. And congratulations as well to Secretary Clinton on a hard-fought campaign and her graciousness in defeat."

US President-elect Donald Trump pledged to be a president for all Americans as he addressed his supporters at a rally in New York.

"While we will always put American interests first we will deal with everyone. We will seek common ground, not hostility. Partnership, not conflict," Trump said amidst ululations from his supporters.

Donning red caps inscribed with Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again," supporters clapped and cheered as Trump was giving his speech.