M7 Receives a Damning Call from America, Warned on Besigye Arrest

President Museveni yesterday received a telephone call from the US Secretary of State John Kerry who expressed disappointment about the arrest Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Kizza Besigye.

Museveni and John Kerry

According to the a statement published on US department of states about Kerry’s Call with President Museveni, the discussion dwelled on Besigye arrest, blocking of social media and irregularities that marred the just concluded presidential elections.

“The Secretary expressed his concern about the detentions of opposition candidate Kizza Besigye and harassment of opposition party members during voting and tallying, and he urged President Museveni to rein in the police and security forces, noting that such action calls into question Uganda’s commitment to a transparent and credible election process free from intimidation,” the statement reads.

“Secretary Kerry also expressed concern about the Government of Uganda’s decision to block several popular social media and mobile money sites starting on Election Day, and he urged President Museveni to end this blockage immediately,” the statement added.

Kerry noted that the delay in the opening of many polling stations but he was “encouraged that the Electoral Commission is taking steps to extend polling for certain areas.”

Kerry told Museveni that Uganda’s progress depends on adherence to democratic principles in the ongoing election process and that the United States stands by the Ugandan people as they undertake this most essential democratic endeavor.