Christians call on UK to help Uganda’s democratic transitions
-23/02/06
As national el
Christians call on UK to help Uganda’s democratic transitions
-23/02/06
As national elections take place in Uganda today (Thursday) Christian Aid has called on the UK government to maintain pressure on the country to ensure the ongoing peaceful transition to multi-party democracy.
Violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially press freedom, have escalated in recent weeks. President Yoweri Museveni is expected to win the election with a small majority.
Western donors fund nearly half of Ugandaís national budget. The UK government gives close to £60 million annually. In response to the harassment of the president Museveniís chief opponent, the UK withdrew £15 million in aid it had been giving directly to the government and channelled it through the United Nations.
The war in northern Uganda, now in its 20th year, is also a major concern. More than one million people are living in camps for displaced people with little access to medical services or education.
“It is inconceivable that, after 20 years, the Ugandan government still has not found a way to end this war. The government has totally failed in its primary duty to protect its civilians,” said Judith Melby, Christian Aidís Africa specialist who has just returned from Uganda.
“The UK government made its displeasure clear over the lack of a peaceful transition to multi-party democracy by withdrawing aid, so surely it can increase its leverage to persuade the Ugandan government to end this bloody conflict.”
The growing militarisation of the country ñ in the judiciary and the press in particular ñ is increasing. The courts have been in the spotlight recently with the trial of the opposition leader, Kizza Besigye.
The military courts are refusing to abide by a constitutional court ruling that a military court prosecution of Mr Besigye is illegal. The government is also using members of the Ugandan Peopleís Defence Force to police the election
“The role of the military must be reviewed and the UK government must finally give its response to the defence review,” said Judith Melby.
The White Paper on Defence Transformation was produced under pressure from the UKís Department for International Development and its then Secretary of State Clare Short, following the Ugandan governmentís diversion of aid funds to the military.
“The Ugandan army is widely perceived as being corrupt, under-resourced and the military arm of the president. The UK government felt it was essential for democracy in Uganda that it become professional and impartial; we need to see action on the White Paper,” said Judith Melby.
Christian Aid believes the UK government must use its influence to promote accountability and integrity in all the state institutions of Uganda, no matter which party leads the next government in Uganda.
Christians call on UK to help Uganda’s democratic transitions
-23/02/06
As national elections take place in Uganda today (Thursday) Christian Aid has called on the UK government to maintain pressure on the country to ensure the ongoing peaceful transition to multi-party democracy.
Violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially press freedom, have escalated in recent weeks. President Yoweri Museveni is expected to win the election with a small majority.
Western donors fund nearly half of Uganda’s national budget. The UK government gives close to £60 million annually. In response to the harassment of the president Museveni’s chief opponent, the UK withdrew £15 million in aid it had been giving directly to the government and channelled it through the United Nations.
The war in northern Uganda, now in its 20th year, is also a major concern. More than one million people are living in camps for displaced people with little access to medical services or education.
“It is inconceivable that, after 20 years, the Ugandan government still has not found a way to end this war. The government has totally failed in its primary duty to protect its civilians,” said Judith Melby, Christian Aid’s Africa specialist who has just returned from Uganda.
“The UK government made its displeasure clear over the lack of a peaceful transition to multi-party democracy by withdrawing aid, so surely it can increase its leverage to persuade the Ugandan government to end this bloody conflict.”
The growing militarisation of the country – in the judiciary and the press in particular – is increasing. The courts have been in the spotlight recently with the trial of the opposition leader, Kizza Besigye.
The military courts are refusing to abide by a constitutional court ruling that a military court prosecution of Mr Besigye is illegal. The government is also using members of the Ugandan People’s Defence Force to police the election
“The role of the military must be reviewed and the UK government must finally give its response to the defence review,” said Judith Melby.
The White Paper on Defence Transformation was produced under pressure from the UK’s Department for International Development and its then Secretary of State Clare Short, following the Ugandan government’s diversion of aid funds to the military.
“The Ugandan army is widely perceived as being corrupt, under-resourced and the military arm of the president. The UK government felt it was essential for democracy in Uganda that it become professional and impartial; we need to see action on the White Paper,” said Judith Melby.
Christian Aid believes the UK government must use its influence to promote accountability and integrity in all the state institutions of Uganda, no matter which party leads the next government in Uganda.