VZCZCXRO5449
RR RUEHGI RUEHRN RUEHROV
DE RUEHKM #1166/01 2811351
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 081351Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY KAMPALA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1844
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0140

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KAMPALA 001166 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM PHUM UG
SUBJECT: UGANDA: DONOR GROUP STATEMENT ON TRANSPARENCY OF 2011 
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary: On October 2, local newspapers prominently 
published a statement by international donors on the importance of 
free, fair and peaceful elections in Uganda in 2011.  The statement 
was drafted by the British High Commission on behalf of the Partners 
for Democracy and Governance Group, the Chief of Mission-level donor 
coordination body in Uganda.  As a key member of the PDG, the U.S 
Mission cleared and provided input for the letter and the United 
States was listed as a PDG member when the letter was published in 
the press.  The statement stresses the importance of freedom of 
expression, an impartial Electoral Commission, meaningful electoral 
reform, and constructive dialogue in advance of 2011.  The text of 
the statement is attached below.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (SBU) The following statement from the Partners for Democracy and 
Governance Group (PDG) represents an attempt to articulate the 
growing concerns of donors, echoed by Ugandans themselves, about the 
country's political readiness for landmark Presidential, 
Parliamentary and local-level elections in early 2011.  The PDG 
comprises Ambassadors and Chiefs of Mission from Austria, Belgium, 
Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, 
the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the U.K., the U.S., the European 
Commission, and the U.N.  The U.S. Mission and all other PDG members 
cleared on the text, which was drafted by the British High 
Commissioner, the current PDG Chair.  Uganda's two largest daily 
newspapers, the New Vision and the Daily Monitor, both carried the 
full text on October 2.  The New Vision ran a front page article on 
the letter, under the banner headline "Diplomats Speak Out On 2011 
Polls." 
 
Statement Text: 
 
UGANDA'S 2011 ELECTIONS 
 
From boda-boda drivers in Kampala to pastoralists in Karamoja, just 
about everyone in Uganda appears to have a view on Uganda's next 
Presidential and Parliamentary elections in 2011.  As friends and 
partners of Uganda, the liveliness of the debate seems to us 
testament to the importance of democracy to Ugandans and good news 
for Uganda's future.  We welcome the progress Uganda has made in its 
democratic development since its recovery from the earlier years of 
conflict and dictatorship.  We see the next elections as a further 
opportunity for Uganda to continue on this positive journey and 
deepen the process of democratisation in Uganda. 
 
Responsibility for Uganda's political future of course rests firmly 
with the Ugandan people through their government, elected 
representatives, political parties and civil society.  It is not for 
outsiders to prescribe how this should happen.  But as 
representatives of countries or institutions committed to supporting 
Uganda's economic and political development, there are a number of 
issues that seem to us important to the preparation and conduct of 
free, fair and peaceful elections in 2011. 
 
While acknowledging the progress that has been made, we are also 
aware that Uganda's Supreme Court in its judgement on the 2006 
elections identified a number of problems.  These included the use 
of bribery and intimidation, and the undermining of the principles 
of equal suffrage and the transparency and secrecy of the ballot by 
multiple voting and vote stuffing in some areas.  The Supreme Court 
expressed particular concern about the continued involvement of the 
security forces in the conduct of elections, disenfranchisement of 
voters by deleting their names from the voters' register, partisan 
conduct and malpractice by electoral officials, and the inadequacy 
of voter education. 
 
It is worth noting that electoral observers, including the East 
African Community, the European Union and Commonwealth observation 
missions, identified similar shortcomings and expressed concern 
about the use of public resources in the election campaign. 
 
This seems to us to indicate a number of areas that will be 
particularly important in preparation for Uganda's next elections. 
 
 
First, respect for the rule of law and international conventions. 
This imposes responsibilities on all concerned.  Respect for basic 
freedoms and human rights, such as the rights of free assembly and 
free expression and the freedom of the media, are essential to 
democratic debate.  In this respect broad debate and acceptance of a 
renewed Public Order Act would be helpful to ensure responsible use 
of these rights by all stakeholders. 
 
Second, building trust in the credibility of the electoral process 
and outcome.  We applaud the Government's commitment to take this 
forward in its Africa Peer Review Mechanism National Plan of Action. 
 It is particularly important in this context that the Electoral 
Commission demonstrates its impartiality, independence and 
competence. 
 
 
KAMPALA 00001166  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
Third, a clear electoral framework.  We note a number of proposals 
for amendments to electoral legislation, including in electoral 
observation mission reports in 2006.  This is a subject for debate 
by Uganda's Parliament and people.  It is important that changes to 
legislation bearing on the elections are subject to full 
consultation and agreed in good time.  We agree with Prime Minister 
Nsibambi when he said that any such changes should be agreed and in 
place at least a year before the elections. 
 
Fourth, a level playing field.  Both the Presidential Elections Act 
and the Parliamentary Elections Act prohibit candidates from using 
government or public resources for the purpose of campaigning for 
election.  Multiparty democracy demands that there be a clear 
division between party and public finances and equal access to the 
media.  It also demands that legislation governing the conduct of 
political parties be enforced impartially.  We note in this context 
that the Political Parties and Organisations Act states that 
political parties should make an annual statement of their financial 
assets and liabilities and calls for a code of conduct for political 
parties. 
 
Fifth, the voter registration process, voter education and 
organisation of polling stations.  The Supreme Court judgement was 
clear that there were failings in the process of voter registration 
before the 2006 elections.  It will be important that these mistakes 
are not repeated in 2011, that there is an active programme to 
inform voters of their rights and responsibilities and that there is 
adequate and timely organisation of polling stations. 
 
And lastly, sensible and constructive dialogue among Uganda's 
political leaders and parties on these and other issues seems to us 
essential in ensuring that the elections and the preceding campaigns 
are conducted peacefully and fairly.  In this context we note that 
the Political Parties and Organisations Act states that there should 
be a national consultative forum for political parties and 
organisations to resolve disputes and ensure compliance with the 
code of conduct for political parties. 
 
None of us underestimates the challenges of building a robust and 
fair democratic settlement or the challenges Uganda has had to 
overcome in its political progress.  In many of our countries 
establishing a democratic system that commanded popular support took 
hundreds of years.  But we trust and hope that the 2011 elections 
will mark a clear step forward in Uganda's democratic history, and 
that free, fair and peaceful elections will provide a basis for 
strengthening our partnership with Uganda.  Many of us are already 
providing technical support and assistance to Parliament, the 
Electoral Commission and civil society to this end.  As friends and 
partners we wish Uganda every success with the next stage of the 
country's democratic journey. 
 
End Statement. 
 
HOOVER