Uganda: Museveni assures EU on democracy

President Yoweri Museveni met European Union ambassadors on Wednesday to discuss issues concerning democracy, corruption and press freedom in Uganda.

The envoys were led by the European Union Head of Delegation, Vincent De Visscher. During the meeting at State House, Entebbe, Museveni said reforms had been made to ensure the success of multi-party democracy.

According to a statement issued by the Presidential Press Unit Museveni said: “Unlike in 1961 and 1962 where multiple boxes were used and the counting of votes was done after five days, the electoral law today provides that the counting of ballot papers must be done immediately and the results announced.”

He said the only problem, which was being sorted out, was capturing voters’ faces and fingerprints using computerized systems to avoid multiple registration. On the media, President Museveni observed that the sector was liberalised with over 150 radio and TV stations and newspapers in operation.

Museveni reiterated the government’s commitment to wiping out corruption, by employing professionals. He added that the government was determined to end the vice like it stopped extra-judicial killings perpetrated by dictatorial regimes of the past. “We fight corruption because we are against it. We don’t want people to steal the money generated by us or given to us by our friends.”

On the situation in the north, President Museveni said: “The north got peace not through talks but by punishing the criminals and by co-operation with South Sudan, Congo and the Central African Republic. If you could encourage African countries to co-operate, these problems would be solved.” He said what was required in the north was strategic programmes like improving infrastructure, which provide a base for taking services nearer to the people.

The President said major roads would be done with bitumen, that there were plans to build a railway line from Gulu to Juba and to extend electricity to the area. On security in Karamoja, President Museveni called on the envoys to help change the attitude of the warriors towards owning guns.

- February 05, 2010

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Source: www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/709223 (accessed on 08.02.2010)