EU calls for probe into Uganda election violence

bobi-wine-Museveni

Yoweri Museveni and Bobi Wine

Bobi Wine and Yoweri Museveni

The European Union has joined a growing number of international organizations calling for a probe into Ugandan election abuses and violence.

EU Council of Ministers in a statement said opposition candidates were harassed by security forces, the media was suppressed by the government, and observers’ offices were raided hampering the work of those expected to report on the polling results and scrutinize them.

The EU, however, called on all parties to refrain from violence and for election challenges and complaints to be addressed in an independent and transparent manner.

Uganda’s longtime ruler President Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner for a record sixth term, amid an internet blackout and allegations of abuse.

Opposition leader, Bobi Wine, a singer-turned-politician, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi has been under house arrest after the military surrounded his home on Friday. He maintains the election was rigged.

Human rights groups, Amnesty International spoke out against Wine’s detention and the political climate in the country as President Museveni embarked on an election victory tour of the country Thursday.

The group maintained that Bobi Wine’s continued confinement is politically motivated and a violation of their human rights. They say it must be lifted immediately and without any conditions.

Museveni’s senior press secretary, Don Wanyama, however, said the president knew nothing about Wine’s detention.

The Ugandan police said they made arrangements with Wine to access his lawyers on Tuesday, but they claim he refused to meet them.

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