Ugandans in diaspora protest elections outcome

Kampala

Ugandans in the United Kingdom yesterday held a demonstrate in front of the Ugandan Embassy in Central London, protesting the outcome of the February 18 general elections, saying they were not free and fair.

The demonstrators, who extended their protests to the UK Prime Minister David Cameron, called for fresh elections and threatened to stage another demo on March 18 if Kampala doesn’t heed their demand.

In a 12-page petition addressed to Mr Cameron and copied to the Ugandan Embassy in London, the American Embassy and the Commonwealth Secretariat, the demonstrators rejected the February 18 polls. “We categorically reject the results of this scandalous process and will not recognise any government formed out of these elections.” “We are therefore calling for an emergency summit with other stakeholders to address this crisis in order to have a free and fair 2011 general election,” the petition read in part.

They also denounced re-elected President Museveni who has promised to “eat” his challenger Dr Kizza Besigye who disputed poll results and called for fresh elections. During the NRM victory party, Mr Museveni said: “We will catch him and eat him like a cake,” he said, referring to Dr Besigye, who got 26 per cent in the polls.

Dr Besigye said the poll was rigged and has called for protests and fresh elections. International observers said the elections were free and fair but cited isolated cases of violence.

President Museveni, who has ruled for 25 years, said he will jail anyone who attempts Egypt-style protests. Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Ambassador Johnnie Carson recently told President Museveni to stop bullying opposition activists and allow peaceful demonstrations because “freedom of association in a peaceful manner is a clear democratic right”. “I would appeal to President Museveni to allow the peaceful demonstrations. Freedom of association in a peaceful manner is a clear democratic right; it is a fundamental right.”