Uganda’s longtime leader President Yoweri Museveni was declared winner for a record sixth term, amid an internet blackout and allegations of rigging.
“Uganda’s election campaigns were marred by the harassment of opposition candidates, campaign staff, and supporters; suppression of the media and civil society organization activities; and a nationwide internet shutdown before, during, and after voting day,” the post said.
Speaking through one of his associates, Wine said he had run out of food and that Brown was unable to leave any with him.
Uganda’s government spokesman, Ofwono Opondo, wrote in an opinion piece that Brown shouldn’t “cry for Ugandans,” and accused the US of meddling.
“For Natalie to cast doubt that elections wouldn’t be ‘credible’ merely because the US embassy had voluntarily pulled out of observation, is aimless shooting,” he said in the piece, which he posted on his Twitter page.
“As of now, Natalie should be the last person giving unqualified lectures on election integrity.”
The US decided not to observe the elections due to the electoral commission’s decision to deny more than three-quarters of its accreditation requests, said Brown in a statement on Wednesday, a day ahead of the elections.
The embassy called on the Museveni’s government to respect its citizens’ “human rights and fundamental freedoms” and to “uphold international human rights standards.”