Uganda’s cordial relations with the United States of America are being tested by the aftermath of last month’s general elections, in which the rights and freedoms of Ugandans according to the super power, have been grossly violated.
The Obama administration yesterday issued yet another reiteration, expressing concern over the Uganda’s post-election environment.
In a Friday statement, John Kirby, the Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Public Affairs noted with concern that government and its security forces persistently have violated the rights and freedoms of Ugandan citizens and the media.
“The continued detention of opposition figures without legal justification, the ongoing harassment of opposition supporters, interference in legal challenges to the election results, and the intimidation of Uganda’s media are unacceptable activities in a free and democratic society,” he said.
He also condemned the simmering Bill that is “aimed to enhance the powers of the government to restrict media is an attempt to further limit the country’s political space.”
The Press and Journalists (Amendment) Bill, 2010 is currently before Cabinet.
Among others, it proposes annual registration and licensing of newspapers by a government-controlled media council, restricts foreign-ownership of the press, and seeks to influence newspaper content by criminalizing the publication of information that is deemed prejudicial to national security, stability, unity or economic interests.
Mr Kirby said that the continued disregard of the rights of Ugandans by government was affecting the progress that enabled the relationship between the US and Uganda to grow.
The US remains Ugandan’s biggest donor majorly in the health sector and security.
Noted the secretary; “The United States and Uganda have a long standing and strong partnership that has contributed to the stability and prosperity of the region.”
“We are concerned that the Ugandan government’s recent actions could endanger the economic and political progress that has enabled our relationship to grow. We urge the government to take prompt action to reverse this troubling trend.”
Government maintains that the clampdown on opposition figures is to prevent them from causing insecurity around the country.