O 061329Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY KAMPALA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0840

UNCLAS KAMPALA 001462 
 
 
DEPT FOR AF/PD WHITMAN, EHRNMAN, KELLEY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KWMN PREL KPAO PHUM UG
SUBJECT: UGANDANS ATTEND ALL-NIGHT ELECTION EVENT - AND MANY OTHERS 
 
¶1. Summary: Mission Kampala's all-night Election Event on November 
4th and 5th marked a high point in a robust series of 
election-themed programs.  Guests from government, politics, civil 
society, academia, the media, business and the diplomatic community 
gathered in a festive atmosphere at The Sheraton to watch election 
returns and the much-anticipated announcement of the new U.S. 
President.  In the lead-up to Election Day, post sponsored over 
twenty programs designed to engage Ugandans in discussion about 
democracy and the electoral process.  Post plans to continue such 
programs in the future.  End Summary. 
 
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POST HOSTS ALL-NIGHT ELECTION PARTY 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶2. The U.S. Mission in Kampala hosted an all-night event in the 
Sheraton Rwenzori Ballroom to watch the U.S. presidential election 
returns.  Beginning at 8:00 p.m. on November 4, contacts from the 
government, political parties, civil society, academia, the media, 
other diplomatic missions and the business community gathered to 
await the election outcome.  Guests received packets of 
election-related materials produced by the Embassy's Information 
Resource Center (IRC), as well as election-themed pins, scratch pads 
and stickers. 
 
¶3. In a ballroom decorated festively with red, white and blue 
balloons and garlands, as well as a democracy poster show, guests 
watched television coverage of the election on two large screens and 
chatted with Mission employees about the American electoral process. 
 A third screen showed internet coverage, while a laptop in the 
lobby featured web chats hosted by the Office of International 
Information Programs (IIP).  Mission volunteers passed out 
unofficial ballots to Ugandan guests, who enjoyed the opportunity to 
"vote" in this historic election. 
 
¶4. While the crowd thinned by midnight, 20 to 30 die-hard guests 
stayed up all night to monitor election returns, which started 
coming in just after 2:00 a.m. local time.  Watchers, including 
journalists and several Fulbright Scholars, stayed awake with the 
help of coffee and homemade cookies contributed by members of the 
Mission community.  Some got a feel for how the Electoral College 
system works by keeping track of returns on the scratch pads 
provided. 
 
¶5. By 6:00 a.m. on November 5, guests began arriving again, some 
returning from the previous evening.  With results rolling in 
regularly, they focused their attention on CNN.  The room watched 
with rapt attention as the outcome became clear and presidential 
hopeful John McCain delivered his concession speech.  Barack Obama's 
acceptance speech drew applause and cheering at key points, and 
guests commented on the significance of the event they were 
witnessing.  Post concluded its election event shortly after 
President-elect Obama closed his remarks. 
 
----------------------------- 
PRE-ELECTION OUTREACH APLENTY 
----------------------------- 
 
¶6. In the lead-up to the presidential election, the Public Affairs 
Section (PAS) facilitated over 20 programs to explain and discuss 
America's electoral system, the candidates and democracy in general. 
 Programs fell into three broad categories: (1) Programs using PD, 
Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and/or IIP resources 
directly; (2) Collaborative efforts between PAS and other 
organizations; (3) Programs using Mission staff as speakers.  Across 
the board, audiences appreciated the opportunity to learn about 
American politics and discuss democratic practices. 
 
¶7. PAS built several election-themed programs around PD offerings. 
In September, the IRC hosted university student leaders for an IIP 
web chat on the Electoral College.  PAS took advantage of two Direct 
Video Conferences (DVC) offered by the Africa Regional Services 
(ARS) in Paris.  One DVC focused on U.S. Nominating Conventions, 
while the other dealt with the 2008 U.S. General Election. 
Politicians, Members of Parliament (MPs) and journalists who 
attended the events participated actively, posing thoughtful 
questions and discussing the content afterwards.  Two well-attended 
student programs featured Fulbright Scholars; one lectured on the 
role of special interest groups in campaign finance reform, while 
the other addressed factors influencing American voters' decisions. 
 
¶8. A highlight of our pre-election programming came in the form of 
U.S. Speaker Steve Wymer.  A dynamic and knowledgeable presenter, 
Mr. Wymer spoke to MPs and political party staffers about the role 
of constituency offices in elections, to youth leaders about their 
role in politics, and to members of the media about election press 
coverage.  In addition, he met with journalism students at Makerere 
University and spoke to government communications officials about 
media relations, particularly during a campaign.  Mr. Wymer shared 
his experience in politics, communications and student leadership 
with audiences, engaging them in dialogue and encouraging continued 
discussion and debate. 
 
¶9. PAS held several events in conjunction with other organizations. 
The week before the election, PAS and the Political/Economic Section 
partnered with a new think-tank, Fanaka Kwa Wote, to sponsor a 
public debate on "Challenges to Electoral Systems in Africa." 
Following opening remarks by Ambassador Stephen Browning, Secretary 
General of the ruling party (NRM) and Minister of Security Amama 
Mbabazi debated opposition leader Maurice Ogenga Latigo on issues 
related to electoral reform in Uganda.  The debate was moderated by 
Andrew Mwenda, Managing Editor of The Independent newspaper and an 
International Visitor (IV) alumnus.  In early September, PAS 
collaborated with the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the 
International Republican Institute (IRI) to host a panel on 
nominating conventions for MPs, politicians and civil society 
activists.  The NDI and IRI Country Directors, and PAO Lisa 
Heilbronn, moderated a discussion about campaigns and the electoral 
process.  In late September, DPAO and a USAID colleague participated 
as panelists in a conference sponsored by the Makerere University 
Muslim Students Association (MUMSA).  The panel topic, "The Impact 
of the U.S. Elections on Muslims," generated heated discussion and 
prompted numerous provocative questions from the audience of about 
60 Muslim students. 
 
¶10. To supplement pre-election programming, PAS organized speaking 
engagements at high schools and universities for Mission community 
members to engage students on election-related issues.   In total, 
twelve speakers, including the DCM and several USAID employees, 
addressed a variety of student audiences, all of whom expressed 
strong appreciation for the chance to discuss the election with a 
Mission representative.  Programs took place in Kampala and other 
areas, including Gulu and the American Corners in Fort Portal and 
Mbale.  The format for each session varied, ranging from video 
screenings of IIP's Election and Sports DVD to interactive exercises 
to presentations using IIP's 2008 U.S. Election PowerPoint.  All 
programs included a question and answer period in which the 
generally well-informed students could raise issues.  Many schools 
requested that speakers return for future programs. 
 
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POST-ELECTION PROGRAMS PLANNED 
------------------------------ 
 
¶11. Post plans to take advantage of the excitement surrounding 
Obama's election to continue programs for Ugandan audiences that 
highlight democracy and the American electoral system up to and past 
the inauguration in January, 2009. 
 
¶12. On November 18, PAS will host a media panel at a local hotel to 
discuss post-election issues.  The panel will feature the various 
Ugandan journalists who have participated in Debate and Election 
Embed programs organized by the Foreign Press Center, the Murrow 
International Visitor Leadership Program and American Studies 
Institutes. 
 
¶13. PAS also plans to request a Direct Video Conference (DVC) with 
Sada Cumber, Special Envoy to the Organization of the Islamic 
Conference (OIC).  Post has also applied to IIP for a U.S. Speaker 
on the transition of power.  In addition, PAS will continue its 
Mission Speakers Program, organizing outreach opportunities for 
Mission employees to discuss democracy, civic responsibility, and 
the transition of power with audiences around Uganda.  Some of these 
programs will use the collection of civic education and political 
process books organized by Scholastic Books in association with 
IIP. 
 
BROWNING