Written question asked by Baroness Kennedy of Cradley (Non-affiliated) on Monday, 7 June 2021, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 June 2021. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Monday, 21 June 2021 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Uganda

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their latest assessment of the (1) economic, (2) political, and (3) security, situation in Uganda.

Answer: The UK is a long-standing partner of Uganda which we are supporting to become more democratic and prosperous - and to continue to play a positive regional role - through our diplomacy, aid, defence co-operation, trade and investment. Uganda's GDP per capita has doubled and the proportion of the population in extreme poverty fell by a third over the past 30 years, but COVID-19 has damaged growth and livelihoods, pulling an estimated 3.1 million people below the poverty line. Population growth is increasing pressure on infrastructure, services and jobs, making it critical that Uganda supports family planning, invests in young people to promote a healthy and educated workforce and protects Uganda's environment so it can better adapt to climate change. We are concerned about the political climate in Uganda following the 2021 elections, including the treatment of opposition candidates and their supporters and restrictions on civil society and media freedom. Our High Commission in Kampala and the Minister for Africa have urged Uganda to meet its human rights commitments, particularly in relation to missing persons and those arbitrarily detained, and to increase efforts to build strong and independent institutions to strengthen democracy. The UK continues to act as a critical friend to make the case for these advancements.

Secondary information