WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Representative Michael McCaul (R-Texas), lead Republican of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today released the following statement ahead of tomorrow’s general election in Uganda. In recent months, the government of Uganda has violently dispersed opposition events, repeatedly jailed human rights defenders and opposition leaders, closed bank accounts of civil society organizations, shut down social media platforms, and most recently denied accreditation to election observation missions.
“Unfortunately, months of intimidation, violence, and harassment have already marred tomorrow’s election in Uganda,” said the members. “As millions of Ugandans head to the polls, President Museveni, the government of Uganda, and security forces must refrain from violence and respect the right of all Ugandans to freely and peacefully cast their vote. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and ensure robust support for those embracing the democratic process.”
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