Kampala- A Ugandan lawyer has formally petitioned the United States and the European Union, urging them not to recognize the recently concluded presidential election in Uganda, citing widespread irregularities, violence, and breaches of international electoral standards.
In a letter dated 5th February 2026 and addressed to U.S. Ambassador William W. Popp and European Union Ambassador Jan Sadek, Innocent Ainebyona, an LLB graduate of Kampala International University, expressed deep concern over the conduct of the presidential polls.
Ainebyona argues that the election was marred by voter intimidation, ballot stuffing, unlawful arrests, abductions, and other serious irregularities at polling stations across the country. He contends that these actions fundamentally undermined the credibility and legitimacy of the electoral outcome.
“The electoral process fell short of international standards,” the letter states, adding that the reported malpractices compromised the will of the Ugandan people.
Based on these concerns, Ainebyona formally appealed to both the United States and the European Union to withhold recognition of the declared president until a thorough, transparent, and credible investigation into the electoral process is conducted.
He further called on the two international partners to prioritize democracy and human rights in their response, and to support a peaceful resolution that genuinely reflects the will of Ugandan voters.
The letter was received and acknowledged by the Delegation of the European Union to Uganda on the same day, according to an official receipt stamp attached to the document.
The petition adds to growing domestic and international scrutiny of Uganda’s electoral processes and places renewed pressure on international actors to take a principled stance on democratic governance and human rights in the country.
