Preparing for the Polls

Improving Accountability for Electoral Violence in Uganda

I. Summary

II. Methodology

III. Recommendations

To the Ugandan Government

To all Political Parties

To the Electoral Commission

To Donor Governments, Specifically Members of the Partners in Democracy Group (PDG)

IV. Background

Past Elections in Uganda

Recent Unaddressed Political Violence

V. Legal and Institutional Framework during Elections

VI. Lack of Accountability for Electoral Offenses and Criminal Violence

Alleged Criminal Acts by Government Forces and Ruling Party Candidates

Impunity for Electoral Offenses Committed by Candidates

VII. Political and Practical Obstacles to Prosecution

Apparently Politically Motivated Prosecutions during Elections

Lack of Clear Mechanism for Incident Tracking

Short Statute of Limitations on Electoral Offenses

VIII. Role of Uganda's Foreign Partners in Supporting Accountability

IX. Acknowledgements