{UAH} RUSSIA ACCEPTS UGANDA'S ELECTIONS OUTCOME

Chimpreports

INSIDE STORY: Russia Hails Uganda's 'Successful' Elections
By: Kim Aine

Feb 22,2016

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Russia, a global superpower, has praised what it described as
"successful" elections in Uganda, bringing to light deep diplomatic
ties between Moscow and Kampala.

"Moscow hails the successful general elections in the friendly Uganda,
which have proved broad national support for the government's course
towards stable political and socio-economic development," the Russian
Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement posted on its website on
Feb. 21.

Moscow further noted a "generally open and peaceful nature of the
election campaign and the voting process and observed no serious
violations that could affect the results of the popular vote".

When Museveni captured power in 1986, his critics accused him of being
a communist.

However, he would later take a capitalistic view of running the state
– complying with recommendations from International Monetary Fund and
World Bank especially on privatisation.

This pulled heavy Foreign Direct Investments and aid thus fostering
economic growth in a country ravaged by war.

Overtime, Museveni's ties with western countries have weakened over
rights for homosexuals and approach towards dissent.

The handing of lucrative road and railway construction deals to
Chinese companies and the multi-billion dollar refinery project to a
Russian firm has as well deepened the wedge between Kampala and
western capitals.

The attempts by European and American diplomats to rally opposition to
field a joint candidate against Museveni in the February 21 elections
underscored the western determination to get rid of the 72-year-old
Ugandan leader.

Highly placed security sources believe the West wants a post-Museveni
leader who will serve their interests especially on controlling the
formidable UPDF infrastructure.

Military equipment

Realising that the West could be up to some mischief, Museveni has in
recent years strengthened ties with Eastern blocs especially Iran,
Russia and China.

ChimpReports understands Uganda obtains the better part of her arms
especially war jets and heavy artillery from Russia.

Speaking at his Rwakitura country home, Museveni said he would not
take any advice from Europeans on conducting elections.

This was after European Union Observers protested the delayed voting
in some parts of the country and an "intimidating atmosphere" under
which they said the polls were held.

However, East African Community observers said in most polling
stations, there were "presence of security personnel who contributed
to maintenance of law and order for an overall peaceful atmosphere of
the polling process. The security agents were involved in the
management of queues to ensure that there is a smooth flow of the
voters."

They further observed that "the voting process was fairly quick as 52
percent of the voters in the polling stations visited took less than
three minutes to cast their vote, while 43 percent of voters in the
polling stations visited took between three to nine minutes to vote."

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