[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 14983-14984]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                 UGANDA

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I want to discuss the important 
relationship that our country has with the East African nation of 
Uganda. Last month, Uganda was targeted by horrific bombings that 
killed 76 people and wounded scores more. We all continue to mourn for 
the victims of this cowardly attack and sympathize with the people and 
government of Uganda. The Somali terrorist group, al Shebaab, whose 
leaders have links to al-Qaida, has claimed responsibility and likely 
targeted Uganda because of its role in AMISOM, the African Union 
peacekeeping force in Somalia. Uganda has contributed a large part of 
the troops for this difficult but important mission, and its commitment 
has not yielded in the aftermath of this attack.
  The United States has long had a strong friendship and partnership 
with Uganda that has deepened in recent years, especially as Uganda has 
become more of a regional leader. We have worked closely with Uganda to 
address the crisis in Somalia, through bolstering AMISOM and supporting 
the fragile transitional government in Mogadishu. We have also 
supported the Ugandan army's operations across central Africa to 
dismantle the Lord's Resistance Army and end their horrific atrocities. 
Meanwhile, as a nonpermanent member of the U.N. Security Council since 
2009, Uganda has worked with us on many important initiatives. And 
finally, we have long provided support for the Ugandan government's 
efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, improve access to education, and more.
  This has been a fruitful relationship for both countries and it is in 
both of our interests to continue to collaborate in order to address 
pressing regional and domestic challenges. That is why I believe we 
must encourage and work with Uganda's leaders to ensure that their 
elections next February are peaceful, fair and free. Uganda's past 
elections have been marred by reports of fraud, intimidation, and 
politically motivated prosecutions of opposition candidates, causing 
international outcry. If these upcoming elections follow that same 
pattern or worse, it will put the United States and our relationship 
with Kampala in a very difficult position. We might have to consider 
restrictions to our assistance and limiting our engagement with 
Uganda's security forces.
  Unfortunately, initial signs are worrying. In his annual testimony to 
Congress in February, the then-Director of National Intelligence said 
that the Ugandan government ``is not undertaking democratic reforms in 
advance of the elections scheduled for 2011.'' Also, the State 
Department reported to Congress in April that the Ugandan government 
had taken no actions to further the independence of the Electoral 
Commission or to establish an accurate and verifiable voter registry. 
In that same report, State noted that the government continues to 
restrict opposition parties' freedom of movement and assembly and to 
impose restrictions on local media. Credible experts and human rights 
organizations have documented the government's efforts to stifle free 
and independent political journalism, especially in rural areas.
  These developments are disturbing not only in terms of Uganda's 
political space and democratic institutions, but also when we consider 
the country's stability. Riots in Buganda last September showed that 
regional and ethnic divisions remain strong in many parts of the 
country and that violence can erupt suddenly. Since Uganda gained 
independence in 1962, political leaders have pitted groups against one 
another and used force to access and control power. This legacy 
endures, even though Uganda transitioned to a multiparty democracy 5 
years ago. Until there is a genuine effort to address these divisions, 
achieve national reconciliation and consolidate democracy, Uganda 
continues to be at risk of instability--a risk that will be heightened 
during the electoral period.
  In the aftermath of the July 11 bombings, the Ugandan government will 
understandably need to address security issues, and we should offer our 
assistance in this regard. But at the same time, it is equally 
important that the government reinvigorate its efforts to

[[Page 14984]]

promote national unity and reconciliation. Divisions and upheaval 
surrounding this February's elections could undermine the country's 
unity and potentially its stability. It could also weaken the 
government's international reputation and partnerships. Therefore, it 
is critical that the government take steps now to build public trust in 
the election process and the country's democratic institutions. As a 
true friend to the Ugandan government and people, we should press them 
to take these steps and provide support as appropriate. The stakes are 
too high to ignore these issues.

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