ELECTIONS IN UGANDA MARRED BY VIOLENCE

TODAY, 15 MILLION UGANDANS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAST THEIR VOTES IN THE COUNTRY'S FIFTH PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS. HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS HAVE ISSUED WARNINGS REGARDING THE POSSIBILITY OF ELECTORAL-RELATED VIOLENCE: INCLUDING ARBITRARY ARRESTS, HARASSMENT AT POLLING STATIONS, DISRUPTION TO POLITICAL GATHERINGS AND THE RISK OF PHYSICAL ATTACKS.

Violent clashes between police and opposition supporters occurred during the final days leading up to the elections. One of the main opposition presidential candidates, Kizza Besigye, was briefly detained on Monday. Violent incidents have reportedly been carried out by what are “perceived supporters” of the ruling NRM party and their security forces. However, reports have also stated that some of these violent incidents have been perpetrated by opposition supporters. 

DWINDLING SUPPORT FOR MUSEVENI

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has been in power for three decades, and is running for office today for a record fifth time. Rising unemployment and deepening corruption have posed severe challenges to President Museveni hold on power. Nevertheless he is expected to win the election despite a dwindling popular support base.

“The upcoming Ugandan elections will provide a litmus test on how the political elite conduct themselves in front of their electorate. Civil Rights Defenders calls on the Ugandan presidential and parliamentary parties to enact free and fair elections with full respect for the democratic process” said Mesfin Negash, Programme Director for East & Horn of Africa.

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS UNDER PRESSURE

Civil Rights Defenders monitors developments closely in Uganda through our local partners. Our work in Uganda focuses on empowering individual human rights defenders, local civil society organisations and networks.

The Natalia Project – the world’s first alarm and positioning system for human rights defenders at risk, protects Sandra Ntebi, a Ugandan human rights defender and LGBT activist. 

GABRIELLE GUNNEBERG   E-MAIL: press@civilrightsdefenders.org PHONE: +46 70 989 60 12

For a situation analysis on the Uganda elections, visit this link.