The European Union has officially recognised the government of President Museveni and issued a clarification on the troubling incident at his inauguration ceremony in Kampala.
The office of U.S. Ambassador Deborah Malac had revealed that she and EU diplomats walked out of the function due to Sudan President Omar Bashir’s presence and Museveni’s “disparaging remarks” on the International Criminal Court which he described as a “bunch of useless people.”
The U.S. Mission’s statement raised fears that EU had colluded with U.S. in a joint protest action against Museveni.
The widely-publicised walk-out also created an impression that the European community was uncomfortable acknowledging President Museveni’s victory.
EU election observers authored a stinging dossier, accusing security forces of suppression and widespread rigging in the February general elections.
However, in a press statement issued on Thursday, the European Union reaffirmed its long-standing relationship with President Museveni’s government.
“In response to press reports, the EU Delegation wishes to put on record that the EU Head of Delegation attended the 12 May inauguration of H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and was honoured to witness the full swearing-in ceremony with other invited guests,” the statement seen by ChimpReports reads in part.
“The EU Head of Delegation left the ceremony after the official swearing-in, due to the observed non-cooperation with the International Criminal Court, and for that reason only,” the EU Kampala Mission emphasised.
“The EU Delegation takes this opportunity to reaffirm its close partnership with the Government and people of the Republic of Uganda.”