Uganda: NDI, IFES Heads Deported

Two heads of the United States and European Union-funded non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Uganda have been deported following allegations they support regime change.

Also, two other heads of foreign NGOs carrying out civic education and strengthening political parties regarding next year’s general election have been barred from returning to Uganda.

The first person deported, according to Daily Mirror, was the Country Director of the National Democratic Institute (NDI), Simon Osborn, who has worked in Uganda for seven years.

The EU head of delegation to Uganda, Attilio Pacifici, confirmed this development in a brief statement, saying Osborn had been working for the EU by the time of his arrest and deportation.

‘In August, Mr Osborn was engaged by the EU Delegation through a short-term technical assistance consultancy contract with the objective of advising on projects aimed at strengthening Uganda’s electoral process’, he said.

Spokesperson for Uganda’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, Jacob Siminyu, declined to comment on Osborn’s case or other reports of deportation.

He said, ‘I am not aware of any deportations. Secondly, I am on leave, so I am not in a position to comment’.

Pacifici said that the government had not offered any explanation for Osborn’s deportation.

The second person deported was the acting head of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), Isaack Othieno.

Sources within civil society say the government’s decision to deport or block the return of the aforementioned officials was based on the belief that they had been providing support to presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi.

President Yoweri Museveni, while addressing NRM leaders in Kotido, suggested that those who participated in the riots that broke out in Kampala and other towns after Kyagulanyi’s arrest mid-last week were agents of foreign interests.

Spokesperson for the United States Embassy in Kampala, Tony Kujawa, has declined to discuss the matter.

Source: Daily Monitor

Photo source: Chatham House

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