EU Joins Calls For Probe Into Uganda Election Violence

The European Union has joined a growing number of concerned international organizations calling for a probe into the recently concluded Ugandan election over reports of rights abuses and violence.

EU Council of Ministers had in a statement submitted that opposition candidates were harassed by security forces, the media was suppressed by the government, and observers’ offices were raided hampering the work of those expected to report on the polling results and scrutinize them.

The EU, however, called on all parties to refrain from violence and for election challenges and complaints to be addressed in an independent and transparent manner.

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Uganda’s longtime ruler President Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner for a record sixth term, amid an internet blackout and allegations of abuse.

Opposition leader, Bobi Wine, a singer-turned-politician, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi has been under house arrest after the military surrounded his home on Friday. He maintains the election was rigged.

Human rights groups, Amnesty International spoke out against Wine’s detention and the political climate in the country as President Museveni embarked on an election victory tour of the country Thursday.

The group maintained that Bobi Wine’s continued confinement is politically motivated and a violation of their human rights. They say it must be lifted immediately and without any conditions.

Museveni’s senior press secretary, Don Wanyama, referred CNN to the police when contacted about Wine’s house arrest, implying that the President knew nothing about the detention.
Why would he?‘ Wanyama said. ‘Stop Musevenising everything. Talk to the police.’
The Ugandan Police Force did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The United States ambassador to Uganda, Natalie E. Brown, was blocked by Ugandan security forces from visiting presidential candidate Bobi Wine on Monday.
Uganda’s internet shutdown was described by Netblocks founder Alp Toker as a “textbook case of pre-meditated, pre-election internet blackout,” as connectivity was restored after five days.
This impeded the work of journalists, observers, and party agents, said the EU minister.

AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK