US president Joe Biden and Ugandan leader Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni. Museveni Government's junior foreign affairs minister Henry Okello Oryem says visa ban restrictions are baseless, and Uganda won't lose sleep over them since those sanctioned aren't dying to go to US. Courtesy Photos
New revelations have emerged on the contract President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni signed with international public relations firm Mercury International UK Limited.
Although the contract is between foreign principal Museveni of PO Box 25497 Kampala (State House) and Mercury International UK Limited, parent firm Mercury Public Affairs is executing the task of cleaning Uganda’s and Museveni’s image and reputation in the US.
“Mercury is a high-stakes public strategy firm. We provide results for the world’s most successful companies, leading advocacy groups, governments, political parties, NGOs, and prominent public and political figures,” reads a description of the firm as published on its website.
Taking effect on April 22, the contract came on the heels of secretary of state Antony Blinken’s announcement of visa restrictions against officials accused of undermining democracy in Uganda.
Mercury Public Affairs has already fulfilled US requirements for lobbyists of foreign goveenments and principals, including a commitment to make periodic public disclosure of their relationship with the foreign principal, as well as activities, receipts and disbursements in support of those activities, in line with the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
On April 26, Mercury Public Affairs (Mercury International Relations UK Ltd) delivered copies of the agreement with Museveni’s Government to the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section (CES) Unit of the National Security Division (NSD) in the Department of Justice.
The contract states provision of “strategic consulting, government relations, lobbying, and media relations consulting and management services” as services the PR firm will offer.
The key period of the contract seems to be April 22 to May 21, a week after Museveni’s inauguration for a sixth successive elective five-year term of office.
“The term of this Agreement shall begin on April 22, 2021, and will continue in effect until May 21, 2021,” reads the contract in part.
“The term of this agreement shall automatically continue every month thereafter unless terminated in accordance herewith.”
Museveni’s government agreed to pay Mercury Public Affairs (Mercury International Relations UK Ltd) every month.
But the amount to be paid for the work remains undisclosed.
Museveni minister tells off Biden administration: We can’t lose sleep over baseless visa sanctions
Additional reporting: courtesy
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