That the Senate—
condemns the Museveni Administration’s assault on democratic freedoms, including attacks on opposition politicians, assaults on journalists and media freedoms, and burdensome restrictions on nongovernmental organizations;
urges the Government of Uganda—
to respect the rights enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda (referred to in this resolution as the “Constitution”) and relevant international obligations, particularly the rights to freedom of movement, expression, information, religion, association, equality, privacy, and personal security; and
to take immediate steps to improve the pre-election environment and to create conditions for credible democratic elections in January 2021 that enable Ugandan citizens the opportunity to freely exercise their right to vote;
calls upon the Government of Uganda and President Museveni—
to repeal repressive laws and administrative actions that are contrary to the principles of good governance, a healthy democracy, and the rights enumerated in the Constitution, such as—
colonial-era laws that target the LGBTQ community; and
the Uganda Communications Commission’s September 2020 public notice that, in conjunction with other regulations, undermines digital rights;
to allow citizens, civil society organizations, and political parties to assemble peacefully and to freely express their views;
to immediately lift uneven and partisan restrictions on political activities, including the uneven, partisan, and violent application of COVID–19 restrictions on opposition political gatherings and rallies, and to safely allow opposition parties to hold political rallies, meetings, and demonstrations at times of their choosing;
to provide transparent, consistent, and nonintrusive procedures for nongovernmental organizations to register, and to enable them to carry out programs and other legal activity without interference from the state authorities;
to safeguard press and academic freedom, in accordance with the Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in Paris December 10, 1948;
to condemn threats and attacks against opposition political parties and civil society, and to ensure accountability for harassment, intimidation, or physical attacks on members of the opposition;
to end the escalating campaign of repression against opposition candidates and their parties before the January 2021 elections; and
to guarantee the ability of domestic and international election observers to monitor the January 2021 polls without hindrance;
calls on the Secretary of State, and the heads of relevant departments and agencies of the United States Government to continue—
to speak out against the Government of Uganda’s efforts to undermine democracy; and
to hold the Government of Uganda accountable for respecting the rights of its citizens, in accordance with its Constitution and international obligations, including by—
considering the imposition of targeted sanctions and visa restrictions on actors involved in undermining credible, transparent elections, or for perpetrating or abetting human rights abuses;
leading international partners and institutions, including those in Africa, in developing and implementing strategies and actions to promote and defend human, civil, and political rights and multiparty democracy in Uganda;
immediately conducting a review of United States Government assistance and cooperation with the Government of Uganda for the purposes of reprioritizing areas and sectors of assistance should neutral observers determine that the January 2021 polls do not meet internationally accepted standards for credible elections; and
insisting on full and public investigations that ensure accountability for acts of violence, harassment and intimidation perpetrated against political opposition, journalists, and members of civil society, especially before and after the January 2021 elections.