We want clean elections - US envoy

On Thursday, Jerry Lanier, the new US ambassador to Uganda, held his first roundtable discussion with Ugandan print journalists since his posting last September. Daily Monitor’s Tabu Butagira was at the American Embassy and brings an abridged version of the discussions and why Mr Lanier thinks action, not words, will guarantee a clean 2011 ballot.

The US Congress has directed the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, to closely monitor Uganda’s preparations for the 2011 elections. How will this happen?
We at the embassy will have material which we will send to Washington. Our people back there who are Uganda and Africa specialists will work together to make those reports which will go to Congress. We don’t expect any problem in gathering information in complying with that request.

What did [ex-UN under-secretary for Children and Armed Conflict] Olara Otunnu do to prompt this Congressional directive?
I don’t know that he was involved in this.

Is the US satisfied with preparation for the 2011 elections thus far?
We are anxious that the preparations move forward. I know there is additional legislation to be passed to make certain that the elections can come off at the right time. We know there are some questions about a number of issues but we expect free, fair and transparent elections.

By going to Ghana rather than Kenya where his father came from or Uganda, what message was President Obama sending?
That he is very happy with Ghana’s performance and we hope that part is something that will be interpreted by other African countries, not just Uganda; that we would like to see real transparent democracy at work.

But Obama said in Cairo (Middle East speech) that every country has its own way of governance. Does this mean Uganda has a right to practice democracy its own way?
Certainly there are features in each electoral process and countries that are particularly unique. We respect that right if it works to reflect the will of the people.

The US administration has exerted pressure on Uganda over the issue of homosexuality but said nothing when security forces shot dead 27 people during the September 2009 riots. Why the double standards?
My government has made its views on the Anti-homosexuality Bill well known: We oppose it. On the issue of the riots, I think the key word here is that these were mainly rioters. I have seen some of the video footages; buses were burnt, people were threatened, shops were looted, crimes were being committed. There was a threat to domestic order. There might have been in individual cases excessive use of force (which) I don’t know for certain. But I think that the Ugandan government, the Police and military were right to step in and prevent this. It’s unfortunate that these people were killed; it’s a very regrettable situation.

What will the US do if the Anti-Homosexuality Bill is passed?
I can’t speculate on what the US will do. I am confident, however, that President Museveni and the government will do what is best for Uganda.

The US says it will never be a friend to a corrupt government but the vice is thriving in Uganda yet Washington is assisting Uganda.
We have spoken to the government and registered our concern about what seems to be a growing level of corruption in Uganda. We have our own programmes to fight corruption and spend over $10 million (Shs1.9b) to help Uganda build better institutions and combat corruption.

How do you rate Uganda’s export performance under the African Growth & Opportunity Act?
Uganda has not benefitted as much as other African countries. I guess there are a number of reasons for that. One is that Uganda is simply disadvantaged by its geography (as a land locked country). Freight and shipping costs here will be higher and these make Ugandan products less competitive. However, we think that Uganda could possibly do more.

You have promised support to Uganda’s agricultural sector to make the country a food basket for the region. What are you looking at?
I don’t know the specific figures for agriculture but our total assistance to Uganda is over $520 million (Shs988b), annually. Most of that goes to the health sector and the lion’s share is for HIV/Aids. However, we are very much interested in the agriculture sector and do believe that Uganda can be the region’s bread basket, which it already partially is.
We are building a warehouse in Kapchorwa and (later) around the country so that farmers can store their crops, hold them off the market as long as they want until prices go up (so that they are) not tied to the cyclical low prices that occur at crop harvest. We are also looking for a new food security initiative that will enable the WFP to buy its food aid locally than shipping it from the United States or outside Africa. Under the policy, Ugandan farmers will be assisted with distribution and marketing.

Of what strategic importance is Uganda to the US?
Uganda and the United States have a very strong partnership. We do provide considerable training and assistance for the Ugandan military and we are helping particularly with logistical support in the current campaign against the LRA. Uganda is in Somalia on a peace mission sanctioned by the Africa Union and supported by the US.

The US is funding the African Union mission in Somalia yet Ugandan troops deployed in Mogadishu have complained of non-payment. Is US taking any disciplinary action?
This is a concern we have discussed with the AU. It’s a real problem. I should say we do appreciate the Ugandan government and military stepping up and taking responsibility in Somalia. I think Ugandan and Burundian troops have done an outstanding work with great sacrifices.

The Supreme Court has twice confirmed vote rigging in Uganda’s previous elections. Has US expressed discontent over President Museveni’s decision to re-appoint an Electoral Commission team deemed incompetent and partisan?
We are aware of the complaints about past elections. However, we have, through the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute that are working with the political parties, contributed about $2.5 million (Shs4.7b) to have a better electoral process.

What will you do if there is a repeat of election fraud?
That would be a decision I can’t speculate on right now.

It is understood Uganda has offered to fight the Al Shabaab if the US can fund the war. Would you support such a military adventure?
I have not heard about that, I don’t know what the details are and I can’t comment.

Desertion of government security personnel due to inability of the Somali government to pay them salaries is getting worse. It is feared arms given to the Transitional Federal Government are turning into hands of the Al Shabaab. What’s being done to prevent this?
We don’t have people in Somalia and all I can say is that this is a problem in various places around the world. We will certainly look into it.

What is America’s interest here; one-on-one deals with regimes or building stronger institutions in the entire region?
Like President Obama said (during his African policy speech) in Ghana, our interests are democracy and good governance; economic growth and development, improved health care and conflict prevention and resolution.

Don’t you find it odd that elections are rigged and nothing is done?
It is important that government takes action to fix the problems that courts identified with the previous elections and corruption. We are providing assistance on elections and we think the government could do more.

You spend a lot of American tax payers’ money on our health sector but there are still no drugs in most hospitals countrywide. Do you ever follow how your money is used?
We think that this is a problem and have seen it as well. I think the government should look into cases of fraud and theft where they exist.

Is the US helping Uganda on planned oil exploitation?
We would have certainly offered and we will be offering assistance on the management of the oil resources if the government would like us to assist. Right now, we do not have American companies involved in oil in Uganda but we are hoping that the oil revenues will be used wisely and for the benefit of the people of Uganda.

The new US administration emphasises transparent governments but the Ugandan government has kept the oil deals secret. What would be your advice on the hidden contracts?
When public money is involved, I think it is good practice to make it open and transparent as possible. These are sensitive negotiations, I suspect, and there may be reasons for withholding some of that information.

The European Union recently suggested revival of stalled peace talks between LRA rebels and the government of Uganda. Would you support the proposal?
There were peace talks that went on for a long time and an agreement to be signed but Kony didn’t sign. (And) the Ugandan military went into pursue LRA rebels in the DR Congo and Central African Republic with the concurrence and agreement of those governments. I think the only way to eliminate the suffering of people in that region is for elimination of the LRA.

Who does that?
The Ugandans are the only ones right now pursuing Kony. I think that operation is ongoing and we can hope for the best out of it.