Speaking at a meeting of the EU-Africa Parliamentary Assembly on Monday 23 February, Ugandan singer and opposition figure Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, called on “democracies” to distance themselves from the authorities in Kampala and impose sanctions. Forced into hiding, fearing for his life and that of his family and friends, the former presidential candidate spoke by videoconference about the electoral climate, marked by fraud, violence and widespread internet blackouts – six weeks after the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the situation (see EUROPE 13807/25).
“What happened on the 15th of January and the preceding days was not an election, it was a military operation. And I’m very glad that it was clearly stated during the debate in the European Union parliament”, he said.
“You can slap targeted sanctions, travel sanctions, economic and legal, to the individuals (...) We are asking for a clear distancing. We also call for any aid granted to Uganda to be conditional on respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law”, stressed Mr Kyagulanyi, when asked by MEP Jan-Christoph Oetjen (Renew Europe, German) about possible European support.
Present in the Chamber on behalf of the European External Action Service (EEAS), senior official, Jonas Jonsson, defended the “engagement” approach adopted by the EU to date, which focuses on supporting local reforms. “The proposals of restrictive measures have not been on the table in our discussions with our [EU] Member States”, he said.
On Thursday 19 February, the EU delegation in Uganda launched the celebrations marking 50 years of partnership with the country. In particular, Ambassador Jan Sadek announced an investment plan aimed at releasing €5 billion for development cooperation. (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)