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<p>While voting in Uganda's recent Presidential elections has concluded, significant
concerns remain unaddressed including the treatment of opposition candidates in the
run-up to and since the elections, as well as the shut-off of the internet during
the elections. This does not suggest an open political landscape, within which democracy
can flourish. Following the arrest of opposition leader, Robert Kyagulanyi, and subsequent
violence in November, I [Minister Duddridge] tweeted my concerns on 20 November and
called for the authorities to respect the rights of all Ugandans to express their
views in a peaceful manner. I [Minister Duddridge] outlined in my tweet on 13 January
the UK view that the elections should be free, fair and transparent, having raised
this with the Ugandan High Commission on 12 January. Staff at the British High Commission
observed the conduct of the elections and I [Minister Duddridge] would like to also
commend the Ugandan media for their reporting on the elections. As I [Minister Duddridge]
and the British High Commissioner stated in our tweets on 14 January, we are concerned
that the recent internet shutdown in Uganda impacted the transparency of the elections
and broader freedom of expression. Following the Presidential election results on
16 January, I [Minister Duddridge] set out in a statement our significant concerns
about the overall political climate surrounding the elections and have urged the Government
of Uganda to meet its international human rights commitments. The treatment of opposition
figures post-election including Robert Kyagulanyi is unacceptable and I [Minister
Duddridge] expressed my concerns about this in my tweet on 19 January. Political freedoms
are vital for democracy to prevail and the UK will continue to make representations
on this issue to the Ugandan authorities.</p>
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