Uganda: Information on violence during the presidential election campaigning, including whether supporters of opposition candidate Ssemogerere were killed, and if so, how many and where
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 February 1997 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | UGA26144.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Uganda: Information on violence during the presidential election campaigning, including whether supporters of opposition candidate Ssemogerere were killed, and if so, how many and where, 1 February 1997, UGA26144.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab5a16.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Violence during Uganda's presidential election campaigns was widely reported in the news media (Africa News Apr. 1996; ibid. May 1996; Africa Research Bulletin 23 June 1996; The Christian Science Monitor 9 May 1996; AFP 21 Apr. 1996; Reuters 21 Apr.1996; ibid. 10 Apr. 1996; Radio Uganda 5 May 1996). The presidential election was reportedly contested by President Yoweri Museveni, leader of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government, Paul Ssemogerere, leader of the Democratic Party (DP), and Muhammad Mayanja, a university professor (ibid.).
According to the May 1996 issue of Africa News, violence was reported in 12 of Uganda's 39 districts, and the army council resolved to deploy troops to these areas to curb "violence and intimidation" during the election. The 10 April issue of the same publication reports that rallies of Paul Ssemogerere and Muhammad Mayanja were disrupted and supporters subjected to harassment by pro-Museveni supporters.
According to a 10 April Reuters report, "several" people were seriously injured during a rally held by Muhammad Mayanja in Masindi, 135 miles northwest of Kampala. When pro-Museveni supporters and supporters of Muhammad Mayanja started hurling stones at each other, the police reportedly intervened and made "several" arrests (ibid.).
Information on the number of Ssemogerere supporters, killed during the election campaign and the manner in which they were killed, could not be found among the sources currently available to the DIRB.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find attached a list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Africa News [Durham, NC]. May 1996. Moses Draku. "Uganda Army to Step in to Curb Violence During Elections." (NEXIS)
_____. April 1996. "Uganda Cardinal's Critique of Electoral System Stirs Controversy." (NEXIS)
Africa Research Bulletin, Political, Social and Cultural Series. 23 June 1996. Vol. 33. No. 5. "Uganda: Museveni Wins."
Agence France Presse (AFP). Vincent Mayanja. 21 April 1996. "Uganda Election Campaign Grows Nastier As Polling Day Approaches." (NEXIS)
The Christian Science Monitor [Boston]. 9 May 1996. Joyce Hackel. "Uganda's Violent Past Hangs over Key Election." (NEXIS)
Radio Uganda [Kampala, in English]. 5 May 1996. "Uganda Army to Deal 'Ruthlessly' with Election Violence and Intimidation." (BBC Summary 7 May 1996/NEXIS)
Reuters. 21 April 1996. Edmond Kizito. "Fears of Violence as Uganda Election Date Nears." (NEXIS)
_____. 10 April 1996. "Rival Supporters Clash at Ugandan Political Rally." (NEXIS)
Attachments
Africa News [Durham, NC]. May 1996. Moses Draku. "Uganda Army to Step in to Curb Violence During Elections." (NEXIS)
_____. April 1996. "Uganda Cardinal's Critique of Electoral System Stirs Controversy." (NEXIS)
Africa Research Bulletin, Political, Social and Cultural Series. 23 June 1996. Vol. 33. No. 5. "Uganda: Museveni Wins."
Agence France Presse (AFP). Vincent Mayanja. 21 April 1996. "Uganda Election Campaign Grows Nastier As Polling Day Approaches." (NEXIS)
The Christian Science Monitor [Boston]. 9 May 1996. Joyce Hackel. "Uganda's Violent Past Hangs over Key Election." (NEXIS)
Inter Press Service (IPS), 18 March 1996. Anna Borzello. "Uganda(Politics: Fighting Intensifies Ahead of Elections." (NEXIS)
Radio Uganda [Kampala, in English]. 5 May 1996. "Uganda Army to Deal 'Ruthlessly' with Election Violence and Intimidation." (BBC Summary 7 May 1996/NEXIS)
Reuters. 21 April 1996. Edmond Kizito. "Fears of Violence as Uganda Election Date Nears." (NEXIS)
_____. 10 April 1996. "Rival Supporters Clash at Ugandan Political Rally." (NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
Africa Confidential [London]. Weekly.
Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [London]. Monthly.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1995. 1996.
New African [London]. Monthly.
West Africa [London]. Weekly.
On-line search on NEXIS database.
One oral sources did not provide information on the requested subject.
