Uganda: Recent Elections and Current Conditions (CRS Report for Congress)
Release Date |
July 19, 2001 |
Report Number |
RS20969 |
Report Type |
Report |
Authors |
Ted Dagne and Zarina Harding, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division. |
Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
On March 12, 2001, Yoweri Museveni was re-elected president of Uganda after defeating his one- time ally, Kizza Besigye. International and regional election monitors declared the elections relatively free, although the electoral process was marred by mismanagement and sporadic violence. In the legislative elections in late June 2001, more than 50 incumbent members of Parliament were defeated, including 10 ministers. The elections were marred by violence in which an estimated 12 people were killed. Relations between Washingtonand Kampala are warm. The Clinton Administration championed the Museveni regime, and President Clinton visited Uganda during his 1998 tour of Africa. Relations began to cool when Ugandan troops once again intervened in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 1998. Secretary of State Colin Powell visited Uganda during his four-nation tour of Africa in late May 2001. Powell met with President Museveni and opposition leaders to discuss a wide range of issues, including Sudan and DRC. This report will be updated as events warrant.