The European Union envoys to Uganda have been warned by President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni and have requested them to not get involved in matters that they do not understand. While President Museveni was meeting with the EU envoys led by head of delegation, Ambassador Attilio Pacifici at the State House Entebbe, he informed them that it was such interference in the past that had caused huge problems in some of the African countries.
“By involving yourselves in matters that you don’t understand, even if you do understand, you should not get involved because this kind of misconduct can lead to many serious consequences and suffering of the people like it happened in some African countries,” Museveni said.
The meeting between the President and the EU delegation was just a few days after Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa replied to the EU Parliament’s resolution to sanction Uganda over what they named continued attacks on human and political rights. The EU delegation has also conveyed their worry on how the recently held elections was organized. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, close contender of Museveni at the 14tth January elections met with the delegation two weeks ago.
In a statement released by State House, Museveni asked the envoys to always consult with government officials in case they want clarification on any issues. He promised to share with them a report on the investigations being carried out by security agencies following the November 2020 riots in Kampala and other urban areas which led to the death of more than 54 people.
Museveni stated that Uganda and the EU are not rivals and should work closely but should focus on solidifying their shared goals. “For us, we don’t see you as enemies, remove all the diversions and concentrate on the shared goals and help one another for the prosperity of our people,” Museveni said.
Museveni also expressed reservations about the recent EU parliament resolutions that called for sanctions against Uganda saying even if Uganda signed and ratified different human rights agreements and treaties, it doesn’t take away its sovereignty. Adding that countries should be treated as partners in case there are violations of these agreements and no country should take itself as a supervisor of the other.
The meeting was attended by ambassadors; Per Lindgarde of Sweden, William Carlos from Ireland, Rudi Veestraeten of Belgium, Jules Armand Ania Mbossou of France, Nicolaj Itejberg Peterson of Denmark, Massimiliano Mazzanti Italy, Mathias Schauer Germany, Karin Boven Netherlands and Dr Roswitha Kremser of Austria.
