President Yoweri Museveni's government has dismissed reports that it did not support Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed's candidature during the elections for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson that were held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In a press statement, the neighbouring country's Foreign Affairs Minister Mr Sam Kutesa dismissed the reports stating that Uganda stood with Kenya during the elections.
“Uganda wishes to state categorically that our support to the candidature of Amb. (Dr) Amina Chawahir Mohamed, before and during elections yesterday, was unequivocal. This was premised on the fact that Uganda enjoys excellent bilateral relations with the sister country of Kenya and that Amb. Amina Mohamed was an endorsed East African Community candidate.
“Uganda, therefore, rejects any baseless assertions by some sections of the media questioning our commitment to the said candidate,” part of the statement read.
Mr Kutesa further assured Kenya of Uganda’s support stating, “ Uganda remains a reliable ally and partner given our warm and close relations and our commitment to East African integration.
After the tightly-contested election, reports emerged that three countries including Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda abandoned Kenya and voted for Chad’s candidate Mousa Faki Mahamat in the final round.
Prior to the elections on Monday, it is reported that Uganda’s team led Mr Kutesa and Permanent Secretary James Mugoya pitched camp in Addis Ababa to attend preliminary meetings where they again assured Kenya of their support.
Part of their mission was also to campaign for Dr Warren Namara, who Uganda fronted for the post of commissioner for Social Affairs.
Here is the Full Statement from Uganda:
