US Senator Condemns Uganda Elections as “Hollow Exercise

”Washington, D.C. – Mr. Jim Risch, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has sharply criticized the recently concluded elections in Uganda, calling them a “hollow exercise staged to legitimise President Yoweri Museveni’s seventh term and four decades in power.

”In a statement issued on Thursday, Risch emphasized that, despite Uganda’s status as a critical regional security partner to the United States, the country’s ruling regime continues to prioritise domestic control over democratic principles.

“Its ruling regime prioritises domestic control through political violence, abductions, imprisonment, intimidation of opponents, and the misuse of state resources to maintain its grip,” he said.

Risch drew comparisons with neighboring Tanzania, noting that Uganda’s political landscape has deteriorated even further in terms of political freedoms and transparency.

The U.S. senator highlighted that such actions undermine the legitimacy of Uganda’s electoral processes and raise serious concerns about the country’s commitment to democratic norms.

Observers have reported widespread irregularities during the elections, including restrictions on opposition rallies, arrests of political activists, and claims of vote manipulation.

These developments have sparked criticism from the international community, with calls for increased scrutiny of Uganda’s governance and human rights record.

The U.S. has maintained a strategic relationship with Uganda, particularly in areas of regional security and counterterrorism efforts in East Africa.

However, Risch’s statement signals growing unease within the U.S. Senate over Uganda’s political trajectory and its implications for regional stability.

“The challenge for the United States and other international partners is to balance the need for cooperation on security matters with the imperative of supporting democratic governance and human rights in Uganda,” Risch concluded.

Human rights groups have echoed these concerns, urging President Museveni’s government to respect fundamental freedoms and to engage in genuine political dialogue with opposition parties.

As Uganda moves forward under its long-standing leader, the international spotlight remains on the country’s commitment to democracy and the protection of civil liberties, with expectations for reforms growing increasingly urgent.