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Ugandan political leaders accept Scicluna's report as basis for dialogue
Labour MEP Prof Edward Scicluna presented his report as EU Chief Election Observer on the Ugandan elections in the midst of mounting public unrest and political violence following the Presidential and Parliamentary elections held in February.
The result of the elections was not accepted by the Opposition who have made accusations of corrupt practices during the elections. Protesters took to the streets in violent protests, and the Opposition has organised walk-to-work protest marches which were broken up by the government security forces. There have also been reports that government security forces have made a series of violent arrests on Opposition leaders.
Prof Scicluna and the EU's Ambassador to Uganda, Roberto Ridolfi, met with President Mouseveni who was re-elected for his fourth Presidential term since 1996. Prof Scicluna also held meetings with other Presidential candidates, opposition parties, the Uganda Electoral Commission, the Ugandan Human Rights Commission, the Inspector General of Police, church leaders, as well as non-government organisations concerned with electoral reform and democracy-building in Uganda.
Following his meeting with Prof Scicluna, a Presidential office press release stated that President Mouseveni “promised to address any anomalies that could have been observed by the EU observer mission in subsequent elections in Uganda,”
The Report's recommendations were drawn up to address what Prof Scicluna described directly after the elections as “avoidable administrative and logistical failures”. The recommendations include reform to the Electoral Commission and to the state media and broadcasting councils, changes to the voter registration system including the creation of a new register, greater financial accountability during campaigning, and a code of conduct which commits all stakeholders to non-violence and the prevention of intimidation.
Prof Scicluna said: “Our hope is that these recommendations will serve as an agenda for dialogue involving all stakeholders in Uganda’s democratic process. We believe it is important that this dialogue should start sooner rather than later.”
"I am pleased that President Mouseveni has promised to address these shortcomings in Uganda's politics. We in the EU must now ensure that his words are matched by actions."
