The US government, through its mission in Kampala, has opened up on reports that it supports opposition groups such as Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP), and expressed commitment to talks to reverse visa restrictions.
On April 16, US secretary of state Antony Blinken announced a visa ban for Ugandans accused of undermining democracy, violating human rights and undermining democracy.
Days later, Bobi Wine welcomed the state department decision.
Since the announcement of the sanctions and even before, several government officials had accused the US and EU of backing Bobi Wine to cause regime change in Uganda.
But according to Brian George, a public affairs officer at the US Mission in Kampala, the US doesn’t support any political party’s or politician’s agenda.
“The United States doesn’t support any particular political party or individual,” George told NBS.
“The United States was very clear from the onset that we support democratic process and that includes the conduct of free, fair and transparent elections that represent the will of the Ugandan people.
George added that Uganda had been warned of sanctions against human rights violations.
“The second point was that we were going to pay close attention to the conduct of the elections and we wouldn’t hesitate to pass sanctions on individuals who violate human rights.”
He also hinted on US government’s readiness to hold talks with Kampala over sanctions, human rights and democracy.
“The United States shall continue to have open and frank conversations with the Government of Uganda,” George noted.
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