US sends Uganda tough warning on 2021 election irregularities

AGENCIES: The United States has threatened to issue a range of targeted actions to hold accountable individuals and security personnel in the Ugandan government responsible for irregularities and abuses in the just-concluded 2021 general elections.

Addressing journalists, the state Department’s spokesperson Ned Price said the January 14 election was marred by irregularities and abuses by the security personnel against opposition candidates and civil society.

“Uganda’s January 14 elections were marred by elections irregularities and abuses by the government’s security services against opposition candidates and members of the civil society. We will consider a range of targeted options to hold accountable for what we saw in relation to Uganda elections,” said US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price at a press briefing on Tuesday.

Price has now called for thorough, independent, and credible investigations into these incidents.

He has meanwhile recognized the role played by President Museveni and Uganda in ensuring regional stability especially in Somalia but says they will pursue both their interests and values at the same time.

The State Department called for an independent and thorough investigation of all election related abuses.

The statement by the US state department comes just a day after the NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi decided to withdraw his election petition challenging Museveni’s victory citing bias of the judiciary.

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According to Uganda Electoral Commission results, Museveni won the January 2021 elections by 58.38% (6,042,893 votes), with Robert Kyagulanyi second with 35.08% (3,631,437 votes).

The Department of State advises the President and leads the nation in foreign policy issues. The State Department negotiates treaties and agreements with foreign entities, and represents the United States at the United Nations.