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Ahead of the 2021 general election in Uganda on January 14, Commonwealth Secretary General The Right Honorable Patricia Scotland QC called on all Ugandans, especially political leaders, to uphold the common values of peace, tolerance and inclusiveness of Uganda and the Commonwealth. .
Speaking ahead of the elections, the Commonwealth Secretary General said:
“On behalf of the Commonwealth, I encourage all political parties, their supporters and the security agencies to avoid violence, to make every effort to promote peaceful participation in the democratic process and to ensure that the rule of law , justice and accountability prevail.
“All citizens should be allowed to exercise their right to vote free from fear and intimidation, and in order to maintain the confidence of the Ugandan people in democracy, the principles of inclusion, transparency and accountability should be respected and supported, in accordance with the principles of the Commonwealth Charter.
“I have conveyed to the Ugandan leadership the deep concern of the Commonwealth family over reports of restrictions on freedom of assembly, intimidation, violence and election-related deaths in the country. And I wish to express our condolences to the victims and their families.
“I urge that these allegations be promptly and transparently investigated, and I also urge that any dispute be resolved by peaceful means and prescribed legal channels.”
The Secretary General added:
“Uganda is an important voice in the region and in the Commonwealth. When Uganda hosted the Kampala CHOGM in 2007, it led to the release of the Munyonyo Declaration on Respect and Understanding and the endorsement of the Commonwealth Report on “ Civilian Pathways to Peace ” , which seeks to strengthen tolerance, respect for diversity and inclusion in society.
“The Commonwealth has accompanied Uganda on the path to development and democracy since its accession in 1962. The Commonwealth family reaffirms its steadfast solidarity and support for all Ugandans and wishes the country peaceful and credible elections.”
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 independent and equal sovereign states. Our total population is 2.4 billion people, of which over 60% are 29 years of age or under.
The Commonwealth covers the entire world and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. Thirty-two of our members are small states, many of which are island nations.
The Commonwealth Secretariat helps member countries build democratic and inclusive institutions, strengthen governance, and promote justice and human rights. Our work helps grow economies and boost trade, build national resilience, empower young people, and tackle threats like climate change, debt and inequality.
The member countries are supported by a network of more than 80 intergovernmental, civil society, cultural and professional organizations.
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