Charles Tannock, author. – Mr President, it’s unclear exactly what happened on 13 August this year in a northwest province of Uganda during political campaigning for a by—election. President Museveni’s vehicle was indeed attacked but lethal force was used against protesters. Opposition politicians such as Robert Kyagulanyi were detained and allegedly even tortured. But this lack of clarity over the facts does not mask the definite increase in concern expressed over increased repression of the political opposition in Uganda.

The deterioration of the fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly and association in Uganda is indeed worrying, as are President Museveni’s efforts now to entrench his power by changing the law to allow a president to hold office over the age of 75. Over the next three years before the elections in 2021, the international community must watch closely and call on the Museveni Government to investigate all human rights abuses, to uphold the rule of law and freedom of speech, and to fight hard to prevent election fraud and corruption.