Uganda behind schedule for fair elections in 2011: EU

(KAMPALA) - Uganda has not yet done enough to ensure that its 2011 general elections will be free and fair, the European Union's ambassador to the east African nation told AFP Wednesday.

"I am worried that legislatively speaking, the level playing field is not established," Vincent De Visscher said.

President Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986, is widely expected to seek re-election but could face serious challenges from a number of candidates.

Senior government officials, including the attorney general and speaker of parliament, had previously assured De Visscher that all necessary changes to the country's election law would be completed by this month.

"For that, they are definitely late," he said, and added that he believes the legal amendments proposed by the attorney general are not satisfactory.

De Visscher's comments come as Uganda faces increased international scrutiny regarding its preparation for the polls.

Last month the US Congress directed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to "closely monitor preparations for the 2011 elections in Uganda."

Its Foreign Operations Appropriations Act for the 2010 fiscal year also calls on the US State Department to "actively promote the independence of the electoral commission."

De Visscher also identified the electoral commission, which opposition leaders have long decried as a pawn of the ruling party, as an area of concern.

"The Electoral Commission will have to be judged on what they do," he said, describing the management of recent by-elections as "not perfect."

"What we are saying is that the clock is ticking and that they have to improve," he added.

Speaking recently to AFP, senior opposition figure Olara Otunnu said he believed the international community had started to lose patience with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

"Up to now, Ugandans have viewed the international community as solidly behind Mr. Museveni, come rain or sunshine," Otunnu said.

Speaking specifically about the US Congressional directive, Otunnu added: "Ugandans might not appreciate the importance of this, but I think one person who does is Museveni. He knows this means the end for him and his impunity."

Livingstone Sewanyana, who runs the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative and is one of Uganda's leading democracy campaigners, recently said he welcomed increased international criticism of Uganda's progress toward 2011.

"Considering the amount of support this government gets from outsiders, we have always felt that (the donors) have not been assertive enough."