EU irked by Uganda's slow progress on election reforms

PIC: Leader of the European Union election observer mission to Uganda Eduard Kukan (right) and Maros Gabriel (left) address the press at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, March 8, 2018. (Credit: Maria Wamala)

ELECTORAL REFORMS

KAMPALA - European Union Election Follow-up Mission (EFM) to Uganda is concerned that Uganda is slow at implementing EU Elections Observer Mission 2016 recommendations.

"Although the EU Election Follow up Mission (EU EFM) is following up on whether the recommendations of the EU Election Observer Mission were disseminated across several institutions of the state, there has been no progress on their implementation," the chief observer of EU team in 2016 and leader of EFM, Eduard Kukan, said during a press briefing in Kampala.

Kukan reaffirmed their recommendations urging: "Uganda needs to improve the electoral process to ensure inclusive, transparent and credible polls, which enjoy the confidence of both the public and of stakeholders."

"Renewal of the social contract with the people of Uganda, through electoral reforms is an essential prerequisite to ensuring continued engagement by citizens with future electoral processes." 

Could EU elections recommendations be alien to Africa?

Kukan refuted claims that the EU mission is importing recommendations good for Europe but not suitable for Africa, which could be the reason why the Government was dragging its feet in implementing the recommendations.

"These recommendations are discussed here. For example, in our last visit in 2016, recommendations were already done before going back to Europe. We discussed them with many people here in Uganda. We spoke with civil society organisations, church leaders; so I would be offended by such sentiments." Kukan said.

He added that Africa was not foreign to him.

"I spent 12 years in Africa as a diplomat in Zambia, Lusaka, it would not be right to tell me that I do not know what is good for Africa."

Uganda is party to many international covenant agreements, where EU countries are such as in the UN, Kukan said.

"So do not say that we are bringing something that is not fit for you or that we are somehow trying to impose things on you. We are in the same group and in same agreements and we should all abide by the rules included in those agreements."

"The mission is only recommending improvement of compatibility of your laws with the international documents which you are part of. It is in your interest," Kukan said.

He added that Uganda is an important country in many aspects and all the EU election missions activities are aimed at improving Uganda.

Kukan, however, commended Uganda in opening political space for women participation, but also said more needed to be done to ensure women participation, especially in higher levels of decision-making.