178. Telegram From the Embassy in Uganda to the Department of State1
2605. Subject: Deputy Assistant Secretary Walker’s Uganda Visit.
1. Confidential–Entire text.
2. Summary. Top Ugandan officials discussed elections and security problems with DAS Walker October 8. Cross-border attacks by suspected ex-Amin soldiers were much on the Ugandans’ minds. Ugandans see attacks as confirming their suspicions about hostile activities in neighboring countries. Military Commission Chairman Muwanga warned that unrelenting hostility by Kenya could alter the political character of Uganda and perhaps even East Africa. Outside influences will not be allowed to interfere with elections which will go ahead on schedule as closely as possible. End summary.
3. Deputy Assistant Secretary Lannon Walker met separately on October 8 with Military Commission Chairman Muwanga, Vice-Chairman Museveni and Foreign Minister Allimadi. Ambassador and DCM were also present.
4. Attacks in last few days on border posts, allegedly by ex-Amin soldiers, was the principal topic raised by Ugandans. Attacks were cited as evidence of support by Sudan and Kenya for efforts of dissident Ugandan exiles, including Amin elements, to disrupt elections. To news of attacks in the northwest Muwanga added reports of attacks in the east near the Kenya border. In one incident fifteen on the Ugandan side had been killed. He believes all the attacks were coordinated. The Military Commission’s information is sparse but the threat can probably be contained. A diplomatic initiative includes expressing concern to Ambassadors of Zaire and Sudan. An envoy from Zaire is expected and Muwanga thinks Mobutu will be cooperative.
5. While Allimadi was hopeful that some form of regional cooperation can be salvaged (he discussed contacts with Sudan and Kenya in a business as usual fashion) Muwanga was pessimistic, warning that relations with Kenya are in very bad shape. “Kenya is driving this country to a precipice that might cause Uganda to have a different political face. We are being driven into a corner. Because of Kenya we have to spend more on guns and security.” (We understood Muwanga to be saying that Uganda might have to abandon its basically Western [Page 458] model for development. He also seemed to be thinking of major changes throughout East Africa). Smuggling by Kenyans and the training in arms of Ugandan dissidents are the principal problems. Kenya won’t cooperate because it is obsessed with Obote and Nyerere. “Kenya believes every lie because it has no one here to learn the truth.” Muwanga has refrained from talking publicly because he does not want to make a difficult situation impossible. Uganda could hurt Kenya, if necessary, by closing the border. Uganda could also take care of itself in a fight with Kenya but Muwanga is not planning any action.
6. Walker wondered how the US could help since Sudan and Kenya, along with Uganda, are friends. In response to an earlier Ugandan request the US had received assurances from Sudan and Kenya that they are not helping Ugandan dissidents.2 Muwanga was skeptical, “these assurances are ones to which we attach little importance.” Uganda’s information, he said is too good to believe otherwise. He had prior knowledge of the attacks on the border posts. “We have known for certain that Kenya has our fellow countrymen under training.”
7. The Ugandans expressed determination to carry on with elections despite outside threats. All were positive about Commonwealth observers. Muwanga is disappointed that only the US has pledged election assistance.
8. Muwanga claimed strict impartiality in managing the elections. He has good relations with the Democratic Party but nothing good to say about the Uganda Patriotic Movement (he did not mention the name) which he described as a radical “youth movement.” He said all the parties, including UPC, are dissatisfied with the work of the electoral commission.
9. Walker stressed that the US is fully in agreement on the importance of elections and the sooner the better under free and fair conditions. Uganda’s friends in the US are particularly interested because free and fair elections will put them in a better position to help with economic reconstruction.3
[Page 459]10. Museveni had relatively little to say about politics but did comment that he thinks a political solution can be found to the impasse in the National Consultative Council. Museveni stuck largely to UPM economic policies. (He may have been put off by the presence of Foreign Ministry notetaker or he may have been deflated because UPM lost its suit to have voter registration stopped. Justice Allen decided on October 8 that there are illegalities in the election arrangements but expediency and economy are more persuasive. UPM has joined the other three parties in urging its followers to register).
11. Both Muwanga and Allimadi raised internal security problems. Both spoke of some improvement and expressed hope for still more as the police force is developed. Muwanga stated that much remains to be done but this is really a problem for the next government to handle. Walker stressed importance of substantial improvement in internal security if the US is going to be able to be of much help in Uganda’s development.
12. Walker mentioned to Muwanga that the good treatment extended to Binaisa has contributed favorably to Uganda’s image. Muwanga indicated he understood and said Binaisa’s case will be left for the next government to resolve.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800483–0933. Confidential; Priority. Sent for information to Dar es Salaam, Khartoum, Kinshasa, London, and Nairobi.↩
- In telegram 6478 from Khartoum, September 5, the Embassy reported that Embassy officials discussed the Ugandan situation with Sudanese officials, who denied involvement with Ugandan dissidents residing in southern Sudan. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800423–0078) However, in telegram 5097 from Dar es Salaam, September 9, the Embassy reported that the Sudanese Ambassador to Tanzania had “described in considerable detail Sudanese and Kenyan support for Ugandan exiles.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800429–0445)↩
- In telegram 160323 to Dar es Salaam, June 18, the Department transmitted the text of the Pease amendment to the FY 81 Foreign Aid bill: “The President shall encourage the holding of free and open elections in Uganda and shall, in considering assistance for Uganda and Tanzania with funds authorized to be appropriated by this act, take into account whether such elections were held as planned.” The Department believed that “the Pease amendment provides a useful opportunity to remind Tanzanians and Ugandans of our concerns.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800296–0759)↩