Scott DeLisi has distanced the US from any presidential candidates in the upcoming elections.
By Charles Etukuri




THE United States embassy has spoken out about the 2016 national elections after reports indicated that it had threatened to withdraw aid to the country and that it had a preferred candidate in the 2016 elections.


In a strong statement, the US Ambassador to Uganda Scott DeLisi said that the US did not have any preferred candidate neither did it intend withdraw any assistance it had provided to the country.


"Any online rumors or other assertions that the United States has a preferred candidate in the ‪‎Ugandan elections, or has threatened to withdraw assistance to the government and the people of ‪‎Uganda over any individual’s candidacy, is simply not true,” DeLisi said in a statement.


The Ambassador also said that whoever followed the US engagements in the country knew that they actively support the development of all political parties in Uganda because of their ability to represent a range of views which was central to a robust democratic process in which citizens are informed and free to make choices on key issues.


“However, we have not, and we will not, support any particular candidate either now or in the future. Those who suggest that we seek to play such a role betray their fundamental lack of understanding of the United States and of our unwavering belief that the people of Uganda, and no one else, must choose their candidates and, ultimately, their elected leaders,” he noted.


The US ambassador said his country hoped that, in the months ahead, diverse viewpoints will be heard in a vigorous democratic debate that would conclude with a free, fair, and transparent election.

The US warning comes in the wake of an announcement by former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi that he would seek nomination for the position of the National Resistance Movement flag bearer for the 2016 elections.


His announcement and planned tour across the country has met stiff opposition from his party, the Electoral Commission and the Uganda Police Force. Police has warned that they will not allow him start his national consultations scheduled for Thursday in Mbale but he has insisted he will go.


Earlier on his team circulated reports that he had been cleared by his party chairman Yoweri Kaguta Museveni however , the President’s office and police issued a statement stating that no clearance had been given and that the laid down laws must be followed.

We Have No Links with Mbabazi— USA

http://www.redpepper.co.ug/we-have-no-links-with-mbabazi-usa/  

By Blanshe Musinguzi - 

Jul 9, 2015

United State Ambassador to Uganda Scott H. Delisi has refuted US links with individual candidates ahead of 2016 presidential elections.

Scott’s comment came amid romours that United States of America is supporting former Prime Minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi, and that it had forced President Museveni to let Mbabazi hold consultative meetings slanted to start today morning in Mbale.
“Any online rumors or other assertions that the United States has a preferred candidate in the ‪‎Ugandan election, or has threatened to withdraw our assistance to the government and the people of ‪‎Uganda over any individual’s candidacy, are simply not true,” Scott said yesterday in a comment posted on US Embassy


HE added; “Anyone who follows our engagement in #Uganda knows that we actively support the development of all political parties in Uganda because their ability to represent a range of views effectively is central to a robust democratic process in which citizens are informed and free to make choices on key issues.”

Scott also assured Ugandans that US does not intend to support any candidate in the near future as Uganda heads into presidential elections.

He said it is a role of Ugandans to choose their leaders not international partners.
“Those who suggest that we seek to play such a role betray their fundamental lack of understanding of the United States and of our unwavering belief that the people of Uganda, and no one else, must choose their candidates and, ultimately, their elected leaders. It is their voice, not the voice of international partners that must be respected,” he said.

This is the second time that USA and western world diplomats in Kampala are distancing themselves from allegations of backing Amama Mbabazi.

Early June, Red Pepper reported that both the United States of America and former colonial masters, Britain, had thrown their weight behind Mbabazi.

USA embassy vehemently dismissed reports as “preposterous.”  As well, European Mission in Kampala distanced itself from the report.