America Asks Nation to Respect Protestors

Yasiin Mugerwa

1 May 2011

The United States government yesterday asked President Museveni’s government to respect the right of all citizens to peacefully express their views as enshrined by Uganda’s Constitution.

In a statement issued at the peak of the protests that have left at least 10 people dead and the opposition leader, Dr Kizza Besigye, deaf and blind, the Barack Obama administration through the US mission in Kampala said: “Ugandan authorities must avoid using excessive force against civilians in this situation (of quelling the protests).”

While it is evident that the proposed talks between President Museveni and the opposition are unlikely to take place due to what the opposition described as government “hypocrisy”, the Obama administration said: “Constructive dialogue is needed now. The US government urges all sides to begin serious and useful discussions among senior leaders to calm the situation.”

The US government also condemned the escalation of violence in Kampala in the wake of previous demonstrations and arrests of opposition leaders but said protestors should refrain from violence and obey the rule of law.

Earlier call

This came a day after Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson while speaking in Washington on Thursday said he had telephoned Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa to express concern about the Ugandan government’s vicious reaction to the “walk-to-work” campaign against high prices, as well as concern over the harassment and treatment of Dr Besigye.

Since April 11, there have been violent clashes between protestors and the police in which several opposition figures were arrested in response to the “walk-to-work” campaign to protest rising fuel and food prices.

Democratic Party leader Norbert Mao has since been imprisoned for holding an illegal assembly.

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