Possible US sanctions against Uganda following alleged irregularities in January’s elections and abuse by the security forces would be unfortunate, but are not worrying Ugandan authorities, the foreign minister has told international news agency RFI.
“It would be regrettable if they do sanctions, but first and foremost I think our elections were both free and fair, and peaceful,” said Sam Kutesa.
Washington said on Tuesday that Uganda’s polls were marred by election irregularities and abuses by the government’s security services against opposition candidates and members of civil society.
US State Department spokesperson Ned Price told journalists that they wanted to see “independent, credible, impartial and thorough investigations” into election rigging and a crackdown by security forces.
“We’ll consider a range of targeted options to hold accountable those members of the security forces responsible for these actions,” said Price.
The US government was measured in describing how far it would go in possible measures or sanctions it could level at President Yoweri Museveni.
Price highlighted the important role Uganda plays in the region, and how that role aligns with American interests, for example, with Uganda’s contribution to the Amisom force in Somalia.
More engagement needed
Ugandan Foreign Minister Kutesa said his government “totally rejects that position”, and any alleged electoral fraud could be pursued through legal avenues, underlining the independence of Uganda’s judiciary.
“We don’t think that it is a matter of concern, we think there is more need for engagement and explanation and the position will be understood better between our countries,” said Kutesa, saying Museveni’s government was ready to engage with the new US administration.
Ugandan government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo said Kampala had not yet received any indications from the US government in writing, and it would “respond appropriately and effectively” if and when Washington relayed those comments.
“In the meantime, the US government better fix its own elections where, according to [former] President Donald Trump, even the dead voted and Joe Biden is in office through fraud, and so they should be the last to give lectures,” Opondo added.
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni was re-elected earlier this year for his sixth term in office, taking almost 59% of the vote, according to the country’s electoral commission.
Opposition contender Bobi Wine criticised the elections as a “complete sham” and had planned to bring a legal challenge before the courts. This week he said he was pulling the case because the judges were biased.
Wine, a singer-turned-politician with a significant following amongst Uganda’s youth, was arrested during the election campaign and human rights organisations complained about harassment and arrests of the opposition, attacks on the media and scores of deaths.