“The Ugandan government must guarantee a transparent and accountable electoral process allowing all voters to cast their ballots without fear of retribution. Any efforts to limit the right to vote, manipulate results, or restrict freedom of speech, expression, and peaceful assembly must be investigated and the responsible parties held to account.
“Ensuring free and fair elections is in keeping with the principles of equality, democracy, freedom, and social justice guaranteed in the Ugandan constitution. It also provides the foundation for a peaceful, more prosperous future benefiting all of Uganda’s citizens.
“This promising future grows all the more elusive as those in power curtail and abuse basic human rights and erode Uganda’s civic space. The Ugandan government has repeatedly sought to try opposition politicians in military courts, despite the country’s supreme court ruling the practice unconstitutional, and in 2025 adopted a new law allowing military courts to try civilians. Other laws, such as the Anti-Homosexuality Act, which permits the death penalty for homosexual acts, pose a serious threat to the lives and freedoms of LGBTQ+ Ugandans and jeopardize the public health and economic prosperity of all Ugandans. Further restrictions on civil society organizations threaten to systematically compromise the freedom of association.
“The Congressional Black Caucus cherishes the United States’ longstanding partnership with Uganda. We will continue to champion efforts to strengthen cooperation between our two countries that protect individual freedom and promote transparent and accountable governance.”
