The United States (US) has put visa restrictions on those Ugandan officials believed to be undermining Uganda’s democracy during the recent electoral process and the campaign period reported CGTN Africa.
“Today I am announcing visa restrictions on those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Uganda, including during the country’s January 14 general elections and the campaign period that preceded it,” the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
President Yoweri Museveni secured a sixth term in the January poll garnering 58.6 percent of the votes defeating 10 challengers. His closest competitor Bobi Wine, who secured 34.8 percent of the votes, disputed the tally and alleged fraud. He slammed the vote as a sham. Wine was detained and harassed multiple times ahead of the vote.
Blinken said Ugandan security forces routinely harassed opposition candidates and arrested them illegally without charge. He said the forces were responsible for the deaths and injuries of dozens of innocent bystanders and opposition supporters.
The US Secretary of State added that the election process was “neither free nor fair”. He said the limited accreditation for international and local election observers in Uganda has undermined the credibility of elections. He added that those who were able to observe the electoral process reported widespread irregularities before, during, and after the election.
One such incident was reported in November last year when 54 people lost their lives as security forces dispersed protestors.
The 76-year-old Museveni has dismissed all the allegations, calling the election “the most cheating-free” since the country gained independence from Britain in 1962.
Blinken urged the Ugandan government to improve its record and hold accountable those responsible for flawed election conduct, violence, and intimidation.
The statement, however, did not mention the names of those who are affected by the visa restrictions. It said the U.S. will consider additional measures against the Ugandan officials.
