UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the United States on Tuesday (January 12) called on Uganda to respect human rights ahead of Thursday's presidential election.
Read also: Uganda: murderous start of the presidential campaign, 37 dead
Antonio Guterres
"urges the Ugandan authorities, especially the security forces, to act in accordance with international human rights standards,"
said his spokesperson.
"It also encourages all political actors and their supporters to publicly commit to carrying out their political activities peacefully and to refrain from any incitement to violence or hate speech"
, added Stéphane Dujarric during his
speech.
daily press briefing.
Antonio Guterres
"closely
follows
the situation in the country, including information on violence (and) the multiple arrests and detentions of candidates,"
said the spokesperson.
For his part, the Assistant US Secretary of State for Africa, Tibor Nagy, said he was
"concerned about reports that the Ugandan government has ordered Internet providers to block social networks and messaging
.
"
“Such restrictions undermine human rights and fundamental freedoms
,” he tweeted.
Ugandans will vote on Thursday in presidential and legislative elections where outgoing President Yoweri Museveni, 76, in power since 1986, faces opponent Bobi Wine, 38, after a more violent election campaign than previous ones.