As the country approaches the Election Day February 18, 2016, the Government has invited international election observe missions to be fully involved in the whole process.
Addressing the Press at Uganda media center in Kampala, the Government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo said “So far government has invited International Election Observer Missions from the European Union (EU), The Common Wealth, The African Union (AU), The International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), The Inter-Governmental Authority on Draught (IGAD), The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and The East African Community (EAC).
All are either already here or have confirmead their participation in these elections.
In addition there are local and international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs, and Civil Society Organizations (SCOs), and 976 local and international media personnel that have been accredited as observers, monitors and reporters to these elections, and we believe the number will even grow bigger as the polling day approaches. All these groups are free to conduct the necessary due diligence in accordance with the laws of Uganda, and established and well known international norms and practices.
Government does not therefore expect particularly members of the diplomatic missions here to unduly meddle in our internal politics and elections as some of them are already doing.
Government takes strong exception to meddling and would like to caution those doing so to desist forthwith, and in case there are matters of concern they should be addressed through the appropriate diplomatic channels.
Uganda seeks mutual respect to its sovereignty in accordance with international laws, norms and practices.
