Details of what transpired when former Presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine met with European Union ambassadors have emerged.
Bobi Wine met with a delegation of EU Envoys in Uganda at his Magere residence, a suburb in the capital Kampala on Thursday.
However, when announcing the development, Bobi did not divulge details of the meeting, only limiting himself to saying he raised concerns about the election.
“This morning we hosted the European Union delegation in Uganda. At the meeting, we appreciated the EU for supporting Uganda’s efforts towards democratization and the greater respect for human rights. We reiterated the position which we have maintained from the start that we are a non-violent political organization, but added that peace must as of necessity be accompanied by justice. Ugandans are demanding for transparency and accountability after the January 14th election and we shall continue using all lawful avenues to reclaim and assert the will of the people. We hope that all Ugandans and friends of Uganda will continue to push for these timeless values in word and action- democracy, good governance and the rule of law,” Bobi Wine wrote after the meeting.
However, some reports quoting sources who attended the meeting claim Bobi Wine made a number of demands including that the EU audits the election.
The EU Head of Delegation in Uganda, Ambassador Attilio Pacifici, led eight other diplomats, including representatives from other EU countries such as Belgium, Germany, Austria, Spain, Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands, Italy and Sweden.
After the meeting, Pacifici tweeted, “Together with EU colleagues, I met with [NUP leaders] today to exchange views and hear their concerns following the elections. We value and encourage dialogue with and between all political actors. I look forward to meetings also with other political parties in the near future.”
Bobi Wine asked the EU to help and hold Museveni accountable for human rights violations and killings. He also asked the EU to push for an audit of the just-concluded elections, according to the source who attended the two-hour meeting.
The Electoral Commission declared President Yoweri Museveni as winner of January 14, election, results that were trashed by Bobi Wine who has since filed a petition challenging the same.
Museveni garnered 5,851,037 votes (58.64%) while Bobi who is also president of the National Unity Platform (NUP), polled 3,475, 398 (34.83%) of the total votes cast.
The source added that the EU team suggested talks between Bobi and Museveni which the musician-turned politician rejected arguing that there would be double standards.
Peter Ogwang, the State minister for Information, Communication Technology and National Guidance, binned calls for an audit saying the poll met all parameters of a transparent one.
Bobi Wine’s team included the party’s deputy president for the North, Lina Zedriga, deputy president for Central region Mathias Mpuuga, party Secretary-General David Lewis Rubongoya and party spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi.