Kerry to Bush: Urge Museveni to Reaffirm Commitment to Rule of Law

Kerry Urges Bush to Advance Democracy Agenda in Today’s Meeting with Ugandan President

WASHINGTON D.C. – Senator John Kerry sent a letter to President Bush today in advance of his meeting with President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda. Kerry asked Bush to raise certain issues related to President Museveni’s 2006 reelection given the strong U.S. interest in promoting democracy and the rule of law in Uganda.

The text of Kerry’s letter is below:

October 29, 2007

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

I understand you will be discussing a number of important subjects with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni during tomorrow’s meeting, including the escalating conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. I also urge you to take this opportunity to raise certain issues related to President Museveni’s 2006 reelection.

Specifically, the first multi-party election in over twenty-five years, held in February 2006, was reportedly marred by intimidation, various voting irregularities, and a show of force by the government. The main opposition candidate was harassed and put on trial. Regrettably, these events came on the heels of President Museveni pressuring the Ugandan parliament to lift the Constitution’s two-term limit on the presidency. Breaking his express promise to abide by the terms of the Constitution allowed President Museveni to seek reelection for a third time in 2006.

Given our strong interest in promoting democracy in Uganda and elsewhere around the world, I hope you take this opportunity both to ask President Museveni to reaffirm his commitment to the rule of law and to understand the steps he has taken since 2006 towards this end.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to your response.


Sincerely,

John F. Kerry
United States Senator