EU wasn't blocked from monitoring 2021 elections - govt

The government on Tuesday noted that press reports attributed to the EU head of delegation Amb. Attilio Pacifici saying that they were not invited to observe the 2021 elections are misleading.

A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) noted that "the ministry expresses concerns and regrets about the misleading remarks attributed to EU representative."

"The Government of Uganda through MOFA, on December 18, 2019, and later on July 4, 2020, extended an invitation to all diplomatic missions and international organisations accredited to Uganda and interested in observing the 2021 elections. EU is one of them," the statement says.

The foreign affairs ministry noted that the invitation was duly acknowledged by the office of the head of the EU delegation.

"The response to the invitation dated September 3, 2020, indicated that the EU would conduct what they termed as Diplomatic Watching Exercise. In addition, a list of EU diplomats to participate in the exercise was provided for their accreditation.

Furthermore, in another note dated November 7, 2020, the EU mission provided an updated list of diplomats to participate in the Diplomatic Watching Exercise and also sought accreditation of another three participants of the upcoming Electoral Expects Mission, once their names are confirmed in due course."

The ministry noted that the government of Uganda has been engaging the EU at various levels including the highest level during which, none of the issues being attributed to the press were raised.

"The ministry regrets that instead of using official channels, which remain open, the government is learning through the press about issues that may be of interest to the EU. Nevertheless, the government remains committed and ready to engage with the EU through formal channels on any matter that they may wish to raise," the statement adds.