President Trump to Take Action against Museveni’s Govt
The recent political situation in Uganda has caught the attention of lawmakers in the United States. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Cory Booker are urging Washington to step in and hold accountable those in the Ugandan government who are accused of violating the civil rights of opposition members.
Shaheen and Cory have expressed that the Ugandan election scheduled for January 15, 2026, was a complete sham of an electoral process that should have been conducted in a fair and free manner.
“Uganda’s January 15th election was another blow to the pursuit of democracy in the country. Unfortunately, these elections mirrored previous electoral contests in Uganda, where the playing field was skewed, and the results were decided well before the actual vote,” part of the statement read.
The two senators pointed out the harassment and attacks on journalists, the detention of opposition leaders, and the use of tear gas against citizens who took to the streets to protest the election’s conduct.
They also highlighted the government’s decision to shut down the internet, calling it a clear violation of citizens’ rights to express themselves freely.
The extended detention of Kizza Besigye, along with the alarming threats made by Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), against opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, has raised serious concerns among the senators.
They emphasized that Ugandan officials have a responsibility to uphold their promises regarding democratic governance, transparency, the safeguarding of human rights, and the dignity of their citizens.
These two senators, both from the Democratic Party, urged Trump to step in and hold accountable those leaders who infringed upon civic rights during the campaign and election period.
“The Trump Administration and U.S. State Department must use all tools available, including a review of U.S. security assistance, to hold individuals in Uganda accountable for undermining democratic principles and endangering the lives of citizens seeking to freely participate in the election,” the senators stated.
The senators released a joint statement just a few days after the US Embassy in Kampala put out a security advisory for its citizens. This came in response to reports of security forces using tear gas and live ammunition to break up crowds, all while the official presidential election results are still pending.
The Embassy advised American citizens to stay vigilant and avoid large public gatherings across Uganda.
In light of the current political uncertainty, the mission provided some precautionary measures for U.S. citizens.
These included keeping an eye on local news for updates, steering clear of protests, maintaining a low profile, staying aware of their surroundings, and ensuring their mobile phones are fully charged with emergency contacts saved.
President Trump to Take Action against Museveni’s Govt
