Africa News of Thursday, 21 January 2021

Source: Xinhua

Polls were free, fair and peaceful, Uganda tells diplomats

Uganda's Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa. PHOTO | AFP Uganda's Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa. PHOTO | AFP

Uganda on Wednesday said it had conducted a free and fair election, despite challenges such the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sam Kutesa, the country's Foreign Affairs minister, in a statement said that the country provided space for a peaceful process.

He added that the heavy security deployment in the capital Kampala and surrounding areas during the election process was intended to ensure "domestic tranquility, [and] the security and welfare of its citizens."

"We would like to reassure the international community that this tranquility will continue to prevail beyond the immediate aftermath of the elections, into the future," he briefed foreign diplomats.

The minister said Uganda has the capacity to deal with its affairs and that the country rejects foreign interference in its internal affairs.

Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni won the elections with 58.64 percent of the vote.