The West’s Patience With Uganda’s Strongman Wanes After a Bloody Election
The United States is considering action against the government of President Yoweri Museveni, a longtime ally who has crushed dissent at home. The European Union has also expressed concern.
Supporters waiting for the arrival of President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda this week in Kampala, the capital.Credit.Sumy Sadurni/Agence France-Presse Getty Images
Published Jan. 30, 2021Updated Feb. 4, 2021
NAIROBI, Kenya A bloody and contentious election season in Uganda, in which dozens of people were killed and the principal opposition candidate was placed under de facto house arrest, recently gave a sixth five-year term to President Yoweri Museveni, a staunch U.S. military ally.
The Westâs patience with Ugandaâs strongman wanes after a bloody election
By Abdi Latif Dahir New York Times,Updated January 30, 2021, 2:54 p.m.
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Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni spoke to supporters from the sunroof of his car on Jan. 21.BADRU KATUMBA/AFP via Getty Images
NAIROBI, Kenya â A bloody and contentious election season in Uganda, in which dozens of people were killed and the principal opposition candidate was placed under de facto house arrest, recently gave a sixth five-year term to President Yoweri Museveni, a staunch U.S. military ally.
But now the U.S. State Department says it is considering a range of actions against Museveni, who, since taking office in 1986, has been among Africaâs leading beneficiaries of U.S. aid, taking in billions of dollars even as he tightened his iron grip on the nation.