US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie_Carson

Carson met Dr. Kiiza Besigye of the Inter party Cooperation/ Forum for Democratic Change, Olara Otunnu of the Uganda People’s Congress and Norbert Mao of the Democratic Party who all expressed their concerns over the elections.

Carson, the top US Diplomat on Africa affairs also held talks with President Museveni who according to a press statement assured Ugandans and the international community that there will not be any chaos or violence during or after elections.

Carson reportedly asked all presidential candidates to ensure the elections are peaceful and free of irregularities that may fail the wish of most Uganda to be expressed.

It was not clear why Carson did not meet the other presidential candidates, Dr. Abed Bwanika of the People’s Development party, Jabel Bidandi Ssali of the People’s Progressive Party, Betty Olive Namisango Kamya of the Uganda federal Alliance and independent candidate Samul Walter Lubega.

Meanwhile, international elections observers have started arriving in Uganda ahead of the February 18^th Presidential and parliamentary elections. The local council elections will be held in March 2011.

The Deputy Head of EU Election Observer Mission, Graham Elson has expressed optimism over possible peaceful elections because of what he terms as an unusually calm atmosphere as the country heads to the polls.

Although there are some fears of election violence during and or after the elections, the police and other security forces have said they have made adequate preparations to ensure peaceful elections and calm after the elections.

President Museveni who came to power through a military coup in 1986 is expected to win the election although the challenge from his former ally Dr. Kizza besigye has been growing over the years. Besigye polled 27% in 2001, 39% in 2006 and has claimed his support has increased due to what he terms as “President Museveni’s inefficient and corrupt regime”.

Museveni however says his government has delivered and he is the most trusted person to lead the country to better development. He was recently boosted by the leaked US cables on Uganda with the US describing the NRM strongman as a key ally for the United States, especially given Museveni’s strong standing involvement in Somalia and Sudan.

Carson also met leaders of civil society organization in Uganda and pledged the US’s continued support to the democratization and development activities in Uganda.

Ultimate Media

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Many Ugandans are praying for peaceful presidential elections, and there is no reason why we cannot have them. The 2011 presidential elections have eight candidates in the race and naturally their supporters want them to win.

However, to achieve this, Uganda doesn’t have to experience a repeat performance of Kenya’s 2007-08 post-election violence in which 1,500 people lost their lives. Neither do we want an encore of the September 2009 riots that shook urban Buganda. In both episodes of violence, tribalism became a major issue.

However, tribalism should never be a factor in politics. Obviously, only one candidate will win, but that shouldn’t necessarily mean that the other seven candidates will be ‘losers’ because embarking on a presidential campaign in itself is a massive enterprise that requires a lot of courage.

I would, therefore, like to urge the Ugandan electorate to refrain from violence and accept the final poll results that will be officially announced by the Electoral Commission, even if the presidential candidate of their choice does not win.

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