February elections were flawed – US
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1188038/-/c07bjkz/-/index.html
Posted Friday, June 24 2011 at 00:00
The February general elections in which President Museveni emerged the victor were flawed, a senior United States official in Kampala, said yesterday. According to the US official, the flaws resurrected opposition calls to disband the Dr Badru Kiggundu-led Election Commission, making it a matter of urgency.
Addressing her last press conference in Kampala yesterday, Ms Joann Lockard, the public affairs officer of the US Embassy in Kampala, said the 2011 general elections were flawed due to lack of an independent electoral commission.
“While the 2011 elections were better than that of 2006, there were flaws and the playing field was not levelled. There are issues the 9th Parliament and ministers must address to demonstrate that Uganda is committed to democratic governance,” Ms Lockard said.
“Government should seize the opportunity to make changes in the electoral process. President Museveni is now the President of Uganda, as US government we will work with him but we need an independent electoral commission before 2016,” she added.
In February, Dr Kiggudu declared Mr Museveni the winner with 68.38 per cent followed by Inter-Party Cooperation flag bearer, Dr Kizza Besigye with 26 per cent. However, the opposition has since described the elections as a sham.
On governance challenges facing the country, Ms Lockard said although the government has made significant strides toward the democratisation process, there are still issues that need improvement.
“You can’t have democracy without media freedom, without respect to human rights and rule of law. As US government we will be watching these issues closely including the fight against corruption.”
Ms Lockard is expected to be replaced by Ms Renuka Naj as the acting public affairs officer.
US speaks out on 2011 Uganda Presidential elections
http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/-/859108/1113094/-/k31s6n/-/index.html
By Benon Herbert Oluka
Wednesday, February 23 2011
The United States government has spoken out on Uganda’s general elections, saying it is disappointed by the diversion of government resources for partisan campaigns, the heavy deployment of security on Election Day and other electoral irregularities.
However, according to the statement by the US Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, Philip J. Crowley, the US considers the general election held on February 18 and the campaign period that preceded it to have been generally peaceful.
“The elections and campaign period were generally peaceful, but we note with concern the diversion of government resources for partisan campaigning and the heavy deployment of security forces on Election Day,” says the statement. “We are also disappointed by the disorganisation at polling stations and the absence of many registered voters’ names from the voter rolls, irregularities that could have been avoided by appointing an independent and more representative Electoral Commission.”
The US has however urged all participants in the electoral process to abide by the official results, refrain from violence, and channel grievances through the country’s independent judiciary.
“Democracy requires commitment at all levels of government and society to the rule of law, freedom of speech and assembly, independent media, and active civil society,” says the statement. “We urge the Ugandan government to undertake the electoral and administrative reforms that will substantially improve future elections and will strengthen the country's commitment to multiparty democracy and human rights for the next generation of Ugandan citizens.”
THE FULL STATEMENT
Statement by Philip Crowley, US assistance secretary of state for Public Affairs, on Uganda’s February 18 presidential and parliamentary elections:
The United States applauds the people of Uganda for their participation in the February 18 presidential and parliamentary elections and congratulates President Yoweri Museveni on his reelection.
The elections and campaign period were generally peaceful, but we note with concern the diversion of government resources for partisan campaigning and the heavy deployment of security forces on Election Day.
We are also disappointed by the disorganization at polling stations and the absence of many registered voters’ names from the voter rolls, irregularities that could have been avoided by appointing an independent and more representative Electoral Commission.
Nevertheless, we urge all participants to abide by the official results, refrain from violence, and channel grievances through Uganda’s independent judiciary.
Democracy requires commitment at all levels of government and society to the rule of law, freedom of speech and assembly, independent media, and active civil society.
We urge the Ugandan government to undertake the electoral and administrative reforms that will substantially improve future elections and will strengthen the country's commitment to multiparty democracy and human rights for the next generation of Ugandan citizens.
